I have been to Switzerland now more than 20 times, but having mainly been in the German district and centering work in Lucerne, Zurich, and Bern it was so refreshing being able to enjoy the French side of the country.
I have done more than 100 concerts with Maestro Ludwig Wicki and having such a report with a conductor means we both find ourselves akin to each other’s abilities and knowing we push each other makes those around us do the same. BUT working with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande it was quite the opposite!
The tradition of this orchestra is truly long and successful. Their profound musicianship allowed us to have such a fulfilling weekend of concerts. The OSR organization, stage managers and production team, chorus and boy soprano all worked together to create such a wonderful show that we had 4 standing ovations! It often is Ludwig’s main task preparing an orchestra to navigate some of the intricate details that have made Howard’s music so rewarding to sing these last ten years. But from the start the OSRchestre dove head first into all be nooks and crevices that blossomed into such beautiful musical moments there in concert. Even with the pulse of the movie, Ludwig and I were able to revel in some truly exquisite musicianship in Victoria Hall.
The setting alone for our concerts was simply elegant. The hall, dedicated to Queen Victoria by Lord Byron, is covered in rose gold, pinks, and embellished with the lavishness of the romantic era truly making one feel like the Queen it was made for. Geneva itself became a center for the world’s most luxurious works, and yet in the same vein is built upon the stones of craftsmanship and hardworking citizens that today continues to define the Swiss as the truly superb and precision oriented culture they are. Geneva and its people are known around the world for business, banking, the world’s most advanced technology in watchmaking and of course all things delicious!
With a Favager chocolate shop right next to my hotel, and having traditional fondue and plenty of good Bordeaux wine, we made sure to highlight our work with some downtime and lots of food & festivities. We have already got dates on the calendar for next year and I CANNOT wait to continue onto Two Towers and returning to this amazing orchestra!
I’ll be in North Carolina for the next month and a half working and preparing for two local concerts this Fall and some master classes as well. I am very excited to be doing a Christmas concert with the Fayetteville Symphony and joining the students at Methodist University on November 6th for a day of lessons and a concert that evening. So I’ll keep everyone posted!
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