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As I prepared myself for a competition in Los Angeles, I was struck with a viral infection that gave me a really bad cough, plus the allergies I already have. It was the toughest week I’ve ever encountered, because it was something beyond my control. At the ’said’ competition, I struggled. I was scheduled to sing two arias, which I did, but the first aria had some bad ‘highs,’ yet the second aria was very well received. As I gradually recuperate from one of the worst weeks of my life, I am very thankful for all the support and concern I got from my family and friends.

Now it’s time for me to get back in the saddle. After the concert this weekend (see ENGAGEMENTS), I finish working on “The Letter,” which will be premiering this July at Santa Fe Opera. (I miss my loved ones back in Chicago: Steven, Sal and JB.)

I’ll do my best to document my Santa Fe experience. Ciao for now.

I am enjoying my time here in Milwaukee, rehearsing for Magic Flute in English with the Florentine Opera. General Director (and Stage Director) William Florescu is a great person to work with. The cast is amazing. I am very glad to be part of this production, and I look forward to collaborating with FO again.

Well, LULU was a success. The production is so amazing, that it made it easier for traditionalists to enjoy the atonality of the opera. I am very happy to be part of this magnificent show. We only have 7 performances total, and 2 have already passed. I CAN’T wait for the next one.

Today, I’ll be monitoring for the Wolf Trap Opera Company Auditions for the 2009 season. I’m excited to see familiar faces (Lee Anne, Kim, etc.)

Lastly, our new kitties will be ’snipped’ next week. They’re both about 6 months old, and it is time.

Till next time.

A long hiatus from blogging, but I’m back. A lot has happened since my last post, so I am not going to bore you with past singing engagements (just check the engagements section for all the details.)

I’m currently in Houston, rehearsing for Billy Budd, where I’m singing the role of Squeak. It’s not a big vocal role, but the knife fight with Billy Budd adds a lot. So far, rehearsals have been going well. Today, Sunday, will be a 6-hr staging with orchestra, where only 3-hr will involve me, since I’m only singing in Act I. Tomorrow is Orchestra Dress, and Tuesday will be Final Dress. We open on April 25, Friday, for 5 performances, ending on May 9th. After Houston, it’s a never-ending learning of music for the Iturbi (crossing fingers), Blier recital, Ariadne, Manon and Lulu.

Something good, though, is I like the bar scene in Houston. I never expected it to be so attractive. Been out a few times, and I like how people dress, as well as how they are groomed properly. It’s a lot better than Chicago, sad to say it.

I think I need to go now, since I’m starting to talk about the nightlife in Houston. Check back very soon for more updates.

Opening night of Volpone went smoothly, and the audience loved it. The second performance, Sunday matinee, had some odd moments. One of them involved my forgetting the text, replacing it with what I call “phonated mumbling.” There were other unexpected rough moments, regardless, the audience loved it, and didn’t notice of those unexpected things. Two more performances this weekend.

Today started with my waking up at after NOON.  Got a call from one of my cast members, and we went to another cast member’s place that has a pool.  There were a total of six (6) people at the pool (swimming, not billiard), and a dog.  After that, just passed by the abode, and went directly to the house of WTOC Director Kim Witman for a BBQ-Birthday Party.  The “Harmonists” from our Berlin concert sang a revised-lyric rendition of one of their songs from the concert, and I, with two other cast members from Volpone, sang a revised-lyric rendition of “Congratulations!” from the opera, both songs in honor of Kim’s Birthday.  That’s it.

It’s almost 2am (Eastern Time), and I’m still awake, sitting in front of my computer, doing last minute things before I hit the sack.  Tonight was part of two of the “allleged” piano dress rehearsals, which started Saturday night, for Wolf Trap Opera Company’s production of John Musto’s VOLPONE.  Act I was Saturday night, Act II was Sunday night, and still had time to re-run half of Act I.  The rehearsals for the past two nights have been very productive, with a touch of frustration.  TECH rehearsals are always the most grueling part of all rehearsals, which I know most singers would agree.  Tomorrow, Monday night, will be SITZPROBE.  Tue night will be Orchestra Dress.  Wed night will be Final Dress.  Technically, Tue night will be our first, last, and only time to rehearse Volpone non-stop, from beginning to end, before the Final Dress.  I’m all for happy thoughts.

After checking out (my colleague & fellow cast member) Anne-Carolyn’s blog, I realized that I had to get back to posting my daily (or frequent) journals for people to read.  (Thanks, AC!)

FYI: I’ll be in Los Angeles from April 12-30, 2007

Here’s a rundown of where I will be in the next few months (till the end of the year):

* Chicago till mid-April

* Los Angeles from mid-April to end of April

* Chicago from first of May to mid-May

* Virginia from mid-May to mid-August

* Chicago from mid-August to mid-September

* Pittsburgh from mid-September to mid-October

* Chicago from mid-October till the end of the year 2007

For some of you who are members of MySpace, I do have a music page – www.myspace.com/filipinotenor.

(p.s. as for Friendster, I most likely will not check my account there, since it does not have the capability of a music/artist page like MySpace.)