Opera Reviewed

The reviews are in.

The Orange Country Register thought "there was plenty of tuba":

"Long Beach Opera Has An Orff Night" by Timothy Mangan, Orange County Register

The Los Angeles Times said, "In an ideal world, Long Beach Opera wouldn’t have to operate as a poor theater. But at least Mitisek knows how to create magic with minimal means. It boggles the mind to consider what he might do with a decent budget.":

"Long Beach Opera in the Hull of the Queen Mary" by Chris Pasles, Los Angeles Times

The Press Telegram liked the venue: "Despite the huge, empty, steel-walled interior (this was the Queen's boiler room before the ship was decommissioned), the sound was clear and bright, without uncomfortable echoes."

"Shipshape Operas at Queen Mary" by John Farrell, Press Telegram

We'll be back under water for 2 more performances this Sunday, May 17.

I'm looking forward to it!

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day Mom!

See more pictures here.

Boat Opening

It's almost time to head out for opening night of opera on the boat:

The sold out audience will sit here:

...while I will be located here (in the dark):

Opera ahoy!

Opera Ahoy

I'm heading out shortly for opera dress rehearsal.

It is very fun being on the Queen Mary.

Hope the show goes well so we don't have to abandon ship...

Opera On A Boat

Okay, it's really a ship.

And what a ship!

I was on board the Queen Mary last night for a rehearsal of Long Beach Opera's production of "The Emperor of Atlantis" and "The Clever One".

My chair is right in front of the trumpet player in the white shirt:

It's an impressive venue:

Step up to the stage:

I'll be back on board tonight.

I love my job.

Lean Muni Band Season

First the good news:

The Long Beach Municipal Band's 100th Year Summer Concert Season has been announced.

Now the bad news:

The season has been trimmed from 8 weeks to 7 weeks.

We're doing our part and cutting back along with every other department in the City of Long Beach.

The season may be shorter, but it will certainly be sweet.

Please join us in the parks of Long Beach beginning Tuesday, June 30, 2009.

Click here for the official schedule.

See you there!

What Exactly Will You Be Celebrating?

Disneyland has an excellent promotion going on in 2009 called "What Will You Celebrate?"

If you come to Disneyland on your birthday, you get in FREE.

THAT'S a good deal.

The celebrating doesn't stop there. You are encouraged to celebrate True Love, Triumphs, Reunions, and First Visits.

The resort is decorated with balloons and looks very cheerful.

The characters are there to celebrate with you (I'm not necessarily calling Disneyland Band Director Art Dragon a character):

I was more than a little taken aback, then, when one of the first displays I saw in a shop window on Main Street featured this:

What exactly is THIS guy celebrating?