Solo Adventure: Stuttgart and Leipzig Auditions

I left Kenny in Torremolinos to guard the big suitcases while I headed off for a 10-day audition excursion to Stuttgart and Leipzig. It was certainly a bit of a tease to get to experience glorious beach weather, only to have to return to chilly Germany right away, but I knew I’d be back soon enough. My solo adventure began at 5am with a flight via Barcelona and Kenny was chivalrous enough to accompany me to the airport despite the rain and ungodly hour.

Apparently you’re not supposed to snap pictures of the security lines in the airport. Kenny was scolded for this shot as he was taking it. Whoops.

A first glimpse of Stuttgart! Not too shabby.

Spotted on my way to the grocery store: a group of Stuttgart-ans walking their big wooden toy?

A new development in the discovery of hotel room cookery.

Proud Stuttgart horse

I found the opera! I thought it looked a bit square and quickly realized I was at the wrong end of the building

Much better.

The warm-up/waiting room before the audition. It was for the Stuttgart Opera Studio: It went well, but the spot went to another mezzo-soprano (she was incredible-I heard her warming up). Not to worry though! Good news ahead…

I booked another early flight out of Stuttgart and was late running to the train, but had to stop to catch a picture of the glorious sunrise on my way out.

My first big accomplishment of Leipzig! Kenny and I are prone to competing and our latest competition has dealt with who can be the first to perfectly soft boil an egg. I had access to a fantastic kitchen at the hotel in Leipzig and here is my prize-winning entry.

I performed an independent validation of the method.

Abandoned kite at a park in Leipzig

Something about a caged bird…

So grand!

Statue with missing shoe

Stocking up to get more use out of the kitchen

The gorgeous view greeting me the day of my audition (backside of the opera house)

Warm-up room with a view

Some feathery costumes lying around

Waiting to sing onstage! The audition was for a small role in Opera Leipzig's 2014-2015 season.

The view from behind the curtain

Post audition treat. It went well! I didn’t get any feedback right away, but some good news to come…

Some more interesting Leipzig art

A sampling of some of the old derelict buildings around Leipzig

Full moon before dawn for my final early morning departure

Pit stop for a day in Stuttgart at this quaint little inn

Full service coffee in Stuttgart before heading back the beach!

Meanwhile in Torremolinos...