I arrived in Germany on Sunday evening last week and since then I have had such a fabulous time.
Monday to Saturday my day was scheduled to begin at 10 am finishing at late evening. We work on the staging of Carmen, singing lessons, movement, and coaching. The whole experience has been so wonderful, but also very tiring, so I was relieved to have the day off today.
A traditional day at the Berlin Opera Academy begins with a movement class for an hour with Andrea Danae Kingston, who is an energetic character to ignite our energies in the mornings. At 11:00 we then move on to production rehearsal, which involves staging scenes from Carmen with Gidon Saks. His direction is feisty and full of drama. It is great to work with him as an artist as every musical phrase has a new energy and thought to provoke the flow of the storytelling. Peter Leonard, our conductor, also leads these sessions to encourage us to keep the integrity of the written music and to ensure that the music reflects the drama. The whole cast and production team are wonderful to work with, and everybody is compassionate and encouraging towards one another.
It has been an adventure living and working in Berlin as I have had to get used to the public transport system here which is very well organised and enables you to get from
A to B very efficiently. If anyone is visiting, I greatly recommend using the app BVG fahrinfo to help you get around. It has made my life much easier, especially since my average travel time from home to each of the rehearsal spaces is 45 minutes including multiple changes. I hope it has prepared me for tube life in London. Learning lessons everywhere in everyday situations!

On Saturday after a day of rehearsals we all got the opportunity to get our glad rags on and take to the stage and perform in the Opera Gala. We performed in a beautiful museum setting in the Mendelssohn-Remise, which was a very poetic setting for songs about love and loss. We all had a wonderful time, and I am excited about the lieder concert next Saturday.



I can’t wait to get back into it tomorrow!
On my day off today, I was able to explore a little more of Berlin, and I came across an eccentric flea market, Berliner Trödelmarkt which stretches out across large boulevards near the Tiergarten in Charlottenburg. The products on sale ranged from fashion, stamps and collectibles, gifts, art, furniture, food, and ornaments. It was so wonderful to see each store holders personality in the collections of items that they sold or created by hand.
Later in the afternoon I then had a singing lesson and then chilled out at the flat with my beautiful flatmates and friends from the course.
You look radiant.
Thanks Brenda I’m generally low maintenance but I do love dressing up 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
I think it’s fun, too. 🙂
Super adventure. Thanks for letting us come with you.
Doing all of this travelling totally on my own has been a real adventure but I’ve loved the challenge of getting to different places on time and something different each day.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Sounds like a real learning experience as well.
Fabulous, thanks for share Charlotte. Very nice experience to prepare his arrival in London! Very proud of you ! whish you all the best ! Best thoughts to accompagny you !
Merci Pascal. I’ve been doing a lot of work on my French pronunciation for the production. Thank you for your encouragement.
Best wishes
Charlotte
If I can help more , just ask me 🙂
The excitement is mounting… What fun we are getting to have ,thanks to you sharing! Cheers…
Such a super group of people to work with, glad you’re enjoying the ride.
Best wishes
Charlotte
How great that you so much enjoy learning and mastering your craft/art! Sounds like a fabulous time.
I don’t think singers and performers ever stop learning, there is always something new to observe and improve, change and invest time in which suits me.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Sexy dress and there you are at the Brandon-berg Gate
I’m loving exploring around, all of the shops are shut on a Sunday and with working the other six days I had planned on getting my food in for the week and having a browse around the main shopping centres. I quite like having my plans changed it forces me to think out of the box.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Enjoy every moment!
I will :).
All my best wishes
Charlotte
It all looks and sounds wonderful Charlotte! Enjoy!
I’ll need a week at your holiday retreat after I’ve finished the course 🙂 Time is flying by again.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Fabulous post Charlotte, looks like your working hard but, having a great time. Well done xxxx
I had some catching up to do because I missed a few days but I’m getting there I think. Looking forward to seeing everyone next week.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Amazing week. You are stunning. Maybe you should think about modeling in your spare time. 😀
I’ve never done any modelling but thank you for your lovely message.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I do so very much envy you. Trouble is, you’ll find London’s Underground something of a let-down after any time spent using a German public transport system…
The German system is very efficient, I’ve nearly got lost a couple of times but that’s to be expected with my first time in the City. Fingers crossed with transport in London…
Best wishes
Charlotte
You look amazing!
Thank you Christine 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Such a wonderful post! I’m pleased you are enjoying the life in Berlin – you have had so many new things to get used to quickly! A new city, new home, new flat-mates, new language as well as everything at the Berlin Opera Academy! Well done!
I’ve got to make sure I can do this and that I enjoy it, from my research travelling alone is a big part of the career.
Best wishes
Charlotte
It is. Best of luck my dear!
This looks and sounds absolutely wonderful, so hope you enjoy the rest. Transport in London is not that difficult. Best wishes and blessings, Charles.
My brother settled into London quite well, it seems travelling around South of the river is more of a problem but I don’t know enough about it yet, the internet sites that give you guidance on the routes seems quite efficient from what I’ve experienced so far.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I’m sure you will settle into it all quite quickly. Often it looks like two places are far away, but aren’t. So I found I could walk through the parks from the Royal Albert Hall to Oxford street in about 20minutes, and it was such a wonderful walk I did it rather than catching the bus or the underground. One has in any case to walk all the way down to South Kensington to catch the underground, and by the time you get to your destination, it has taken about the same time! Experiment; enjoy the experience, and enjoy Berlin before that, best wishes and blessings, Charles.
So nice. Thank you for the information about the app. that helps you get around in Berlin. I am a 100% certain you will not have any problem in London.
Thank you I’m getting quite excited about my new adventure in London now.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Fabulous experiences – these are the best days of your life – enjoy to the fullest! Learn everything you can, but have fun time, too…I am happy for you.
Thank you Sheila for your lovely message, I’m full of energy and raring to go.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Berlin is very beautiful Charlotte and those are wonderful pictures. Good that all of you are having a wonderful time. May the Lord continue to bless you richly is my prayer.
Thank you for your prayer Rev. Tim it’s comforting to know you’re thinking about me and wishing me well.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte you look great and you are a very hard working person good luck xx
Thank you Barbara I’m having fun working hard at doing what I love so it’s all good.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Excellent and insightful post as usual! Very cool to catch a small glimpse into the process of creating such an event.
Take care!
Thanks Steve, it is the first time I’ve learnt the Carmen score or done any of the scenes, I like the style and the dancing and the great group of people I’m with. So much goes into it I’m so happy to be involved.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Fantastic great Pics wonderful post what an amazing time you are having
Thanks Mike, I had a bit of time off this afternoon so I’m going to try to practise my German.
Best wishes
Charlotte
So pleased you’re enjoying the experience .Charlotte
Looking fabulous as always, love the dress…xx
Hope you’re both good, thank you I love the dress too.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I love this post. And my goodness that dress is stuning on you! x
Thank you Lotty 🙂 it packs really well for travelling.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a day ! You looked stunning !
Hope you have a great week ahead as well 🙂
Thank you very much 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Most welcome 🙂
You look beautiful! Carmen is one of my favorites, one my father used to teach me appreciation of the opera.
I’m glad I’m working on one of your favourites, I love the role and the music. It was great in Glasgow because the Opera theatre was right nearby I got to see lots of opera and at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland their student productions were always brilliant as they had an opera school within the same building.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Even your days off are full of exploration, love to see your new adventures.
Have fun, learn a lot, enjoy, Charlotte.
I had a bit of a lie in, although that would still be considered early for people like my little brother. It was such a beautiful day to do some local sight-seeing.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What an Adventure. I was in Berlin over a decade ago and this post makes me want to skate right back there! Thanks for that!
I’ve never been before Marie I love visiting new places. Hope you get to come back.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful to see you enjoying Berlin so much. It’s probably 30 years since I was there. Pre wall fall down for sure! Love Carmen too 😊
I’m hoping to go to see the remnants of the wall and other sites towards the end of the project, my parents are coming over to see the show so hopefully we can fit a list of things I’d like to do in.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte, willkommen in Deutschland. I hope you have a great time in Berlin
Danke Philip 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thumbs up.
🙂 thanks Eric.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Such an amazing adventure! Glad you’re having an awesome time in Berlin. <3
I’ve been loving your photos of the Highlands, I will try to take a few photographs on my travels around the City to share.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Have a wonderful time! You look happy and enjoying what you do. Lovely gown! You look beautiful! 😘
Thank you Janice 🙂 I’ve got a lieder concert this week that I’m excited to sing in before my final performance on the 18th August.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You will be spectacular! Wish I could be there! 😘
Praying for God to keep you safe on your lovely adventures. Should you run into trouble, remember to call on Jesus! He loves to rescue His people. : )
Your singing is amazing. Keep up the good work.
Best Regards,
“Gwennon”
Thanks so much Gwennon for your lovely message.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I love that dress!! Especially on you. What a joy to read about this. Have a ball, literally!
Will do Beth thank you!
Best wishes
Charlotte
Ah Carmen! Love that opera and songs… must be an exciting trip, Charlotte. Enjoy your time there!
Thank you Iris I am trying to make the most of the musical opportunity.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Very pretty–lovely photographs.
Thank you, I am glad that you liked them.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Lovely post, and I’ve just been listening to your Song to the moon on Soundcloud, absolutely stunning.
Thank you, I do love singing Rusalka’s aria and I am glad that you enjoyed it too.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You looked so beautiful in that dress! I love it!
Berlin’s a wonderful, wonderful city. You’ll be collecting capitals (as well as the less-well-known festival towns) over the next few years – enjoy!
Watch out world, here comes Charlotte! You GO girl! So proud of you~
looking long black dress