I was excited as the time approached for the evening’s performance, outside the church I could hear the gentle chatter of the audience as they started to arrive on what was a beautiful summer evening.
The lights dimmed and then the performance began. It was a lovely venue to perform in and to see such a large audience made the evening even more special.
The instrumental accompaniment was provided by members of the Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra conducted by Tom Newall and the beautiful melodies composed by Puccini and played by these gifted musicians filled the evening air.
The evening progressed and the cast brought the characters to life as the story of Madama Butterfly unfolded to the delight of an enthusiastic audience.
Following the dramatic final scene as Butterfly lay dying and Sharpless carried off Butterfly’s child the lights dimmed and audience rose to show their appreciation. It was a wonderful evening and Bowdon Festival should be proud of their achievement in producing this beautiful opera and I was thrilled to be a part of it.
I wish my work took me off to Italy for five weeks in summer… Yes, I know, you’ll be working extremely hard. But it won’t be in Stockport on a rainy Tuesday night. Have loads of fun.
Hahaha ☺️ I must check what the weather is like there, it’s near the mountains. Im hoping to blog wifi allowing 😀. Thanks Martin.
Best wishes
Charlotte
It looks a lovely place. I’m sure you’ll take full advantage of this much deserved opportunity. All the best. Kris.
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Thanks Chris I will ☺️.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I would have loved to have been there for that performance since I am in love with Madame Butterfly! Italy for five weeks! A dream! Have fun and learn much!
It’s been lovely listening to the music and learning more about it. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a blessed life you are leading! First “Madamme Butterfly,” followed by 5 weeks in Italy. Relish every moment, Charlotte, even while you are working—this does sound like pure heaven.
I am blessed and I don’t take a minute of it for granted ☺️. I will certainly try to make the most of every day.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Very Nice ! yhanks for this full of light share. Have a great summer class in Italy, you are a fabulous singer and a marvellous soul ! Very happy for you and proud of you Charloppe !! All the best for you !
I was glad to hear that your trip went well too, I loved the photos from your new camera enjoy this summer ☺️.
Best wishes
Charlotte
This a most encouraging post. You are always gaining new experience and progressing your work, which must be a good feeling.
I’ve had to turn a couple of offers down which I hate doing but once I commit to something I like to see it through, I’m always so flattered when someone asks me to do something with them, it’s a great feeling, every experience adds something to work on and teaches me something new.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Lovely photos of you and company and beautiful setting in Italy. Congrats on all you have completed and for exciting new opportunities, experiences and skills. Hugs!
Thanks Janice, it’s been a year full of challenges and change, my end of year recital was all about changes in circumstances, usually outside of the people’s control, I can’t wait to experience my first European summer school I hope it goes well, I’m going with an open mind and what to learn as much as I can.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a gift your life is; for you and all those whose lives you touch! Brava. Much love and many continued blessings.
What a lovely message Annette, you’re always so supportive, not just to me, all your blogger friends, it’s you that is my gift 💖. Thank you.
Best wishes
Charlotte
That ‘curtains’ had me worried – I thought something may have blocked the show. Of course, it’s curtains for her at the end of every performance in more ways than one. This seems to have been a triumphant ending performance.
And now, of course, you will be relaxing and taking things easy – NOT! Quite a schedule you have there.
😀 I saw a small memorial today and asked my parents what all the flowers were at the roadside, they explained a really sad event a couple of weeks ago where a young woman walking along a pavement lost her life in a freak van accident. My Dad said ‘cherish every moment because life’s not a rehearsal’. That’s my plan ☺️. Best wishes
Charlotte
Sound advice which you are certainly following!
You have a fantastic summer before you. Enjoy every moment.
Thank you ☺️
Best wishes
Charlotte
This little village looks great, with the mountains in the background, I hope you enjoy it a lot, and learn much. Best wishes and blessings, Charles. 🙂
Thanks Charles I hope my mobile phone photos will do the place justice.
Best wishes
Charlotte
All the other photo’s have been wonderful, and I’m sure these ones will be too, have a great time, Charles.
you are doing so well with your opera Charlotte. Busy busy times. Have a wonderful time in Italy.
Thank you ☺️ are the Cook Islands part of NZ or independent? I loved your beautiful pictures thanks for keeping in touch.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Independent, although same currency so that makes it easy when visiting. They are about a 3 hour flight from NZ – part of the Pacific Island group that we are also part of but we’re all independent countries.
What an exciting time of your life. Cherish every moment indeed! And to follow Puccini by being in a land of native Italian speakers is a great opportunity to perfect the tone of the language. When I was learning Italian years ago, my teacher threatened to stick a pin in my thigh every time I lost the end of my word a la the English style! Ouch!
And musing some more on that. It will be interesting to hear what the local accent/ dialect does to the Italian language. So far north, close to borders with germanic languages, and in a valley too. A bit like the first time I heard someone from the Lake District in England. That old timer’s English had nothing in common with the way they speak it in Oxford! I had to get it translated. Lol
Remind me never to give teachers pins lol 😃. My northern accent can give me as many problems in English 😆.
Thanks Gwen, good luck with your novel, excited for you,
Best wishes
Charlotte
Bravo! 😆
Thanks Eric, I saw my old squeezy pillow that regains its shape and thought it would be great as a Chompy.
Best wishes
Charlotte
lol, thanks. Still not sure how to make that happen. I was going to ask why you’re up so late at night. But I’d forgotten you’re eight hours ahead of me.
I am so pleased you enjoyed your Madama Butterfly performance on Saturday. Here’s hoping the Chief Constable’s Charity Ball performance goes well and then Italy…! I’m sure you will love it. I have been to Merano and thought it lovely. It gets quite hot there despite it being in the Dolomite region. The food is yummy! Lots of typical Italian dishes but also plenty of Germanic food as the area used to be part of Austria before the 2nd World War. I used to go to a music summer school in the Austrian Alps when I was a girl and I have such wonderful memories of it and made so many good friends.
I’ve got a lunchtime rehearsal today for the Ball very excited for that. I’ve a couple of friends from the conservatoire going to but I’m also really looking forward to meeting everyone there.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Will be thinking of you! 🙂
As busy as you are, I do hope you get to see some sights while you are there!
I always make time for fun too, I really want to make the most out of the opportunity.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wow, 5 weeks of opera school in Italy! You must be excited. If it keeps you too busy to blog I hope you have a fantastic summer – which it sounds like you will!
Fingers crossed I’ll find a way to take everyone along for the trip on my blog ☺️.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Only one question. Aren’t you young to be an aunt?
😀 well when you think Butterfly starts the opera age 15 at 21 I could be an aunt, I’ve a cousin who has a nephew older than her if that makes sense.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I think I had one of those too. Or maybe it was me. Can’t remember. That’s what comes from inbreeding.
So pleased everything went well Charlotte, looking forward to seeing you at the policeman said ball! Xxx
Only one more sleep, very excited. ☺️
Best wishes
Charlotte
The Italian sojourn sounds wonderful. A lovely place to spend the summer and work with other musicians. I hope you won’t forget us. It sounds as if Mme B was a great success. Congratulations.
I’ve never been on a school like this before so I’m very excited, I hope to share my experience on my blog but I’ll only know the wifi situation when I get there. Thanks Andrew.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte, I hope you enjoy your 5 weeks in Italy. Make the most of it. Many years ago I worked in Venice for 6 months. … Will you still be blogging while away?
I’m hoping to Rhys as a journal and memory log for myself too and to keep my family up to date.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations, Charlotte! You looked so lovely. Enjoy the summer school in Italy (eat lots of good food :-)).
Best regards,
Cate
I’ve got to be careful with pasta, cheese and sauces Cate I love them 😀. Hope you have a lovely summer too.
Best wishes
Charlotte
How wonderful ~ and you look stunning in those shots, a perfect ending to what must have been an exhilarating experience…now off to Italy to have even more such experiences. Not bad at all 🙂
It was a great opportunity to be part of a concert style opera and to listen to my first singing teacher going through her paces, just fabulous.
Thanks Randall ☺️.
Best wishes
Charlotte
As you fly away with your fellow accomplished musicians, don’t forget to return to your lowly WP and FB fans one fine day……
I’m hoping to take you all along for the ride 😀,
Best wishes Dianne,
Charlotte
Glad everything went well for the beautiful summer evening, Charlotte! Enjoy your time in Italy and my very best to you… 🙂
Thanks Iris your poetry has been really speaking to me recently ☺️.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you for the vicarious joy of following your first operatic performances (you must have sung the humming chorus) and I hope you have a fabulous time in Fiera di Primiera.
We certainly did, we lined the aisles holding candles, fingers crossed I hope to make the very most of it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
So glad your performance went well. Enjoy your time in Italy – and the food! You are going to be so spoiled in that respect. 🙂