Guest Post by Rebecca Carvin aka RebeccaNYC

This November, my blog will be 16 years old. To celebrate that, I have asked you, my readers, to submit a Guest Post for my blog as a way of celebrating our connectedness as a community through social media. 

I hope you will send me your story or a glimpse into your life. I feel I know so many of you through the comment section and emails; I hope this will introduce you to one another. Thank you in advance for being part of French la Vie / Tongue in Cheek.

 

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I am beyond honored to be Corey’s first ever guest blogger!  I’ve been following Corey Amaro for more years than I can remember, first with her blog (when it was called “Tongue in Cheek” which it still is called in my bookmarks…), then on Instagram and now on Facebook.  Over the years we have become friends, which is so strange because we have never met each other. You start chatting from miles away and before you know it, you’re friends.   

 

 

 

 

Corey asked me to talk about my career, which is really an unusual one.  I’m one of 80 full-time choristers at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.  As a chorister, I sing in the chorus of every assigned opera in English, French, Italian, Russian, Czech, German, Sanskrit, and American Profanity. I stand for hours on raked stages while wearing outrageously uncomfortable costumes and (sometimes) two-foot tall wigs. The Met Opera performs about 24 operas a year, with nighttime performances Monday through Saturday and matinees on Saturday and many Sundays.  We perform at night and rehearse during the day.  A typical day starts at 10 am and ends just before midnight.  I perform at the highest level of my industry with pride.  It’s been a wild 24 years.

 

 

 

How did this all start, and how in the world does someone end up singing full-time in one of the largest Opera Houses in the world?  My parents tell me that I was singing and matching pitch before I could even talk.   My father was a Baptist Minister in Princeton NJ, where there was so much wonderful choral music, thanks to Westminster Choir College which is located near the campus of Princeton University.  So, I grew up hearing that, and as soon as I could stand up and behave myself properly, I was singing in the children’s choir of my father’s church.  It was my favorite activity, and I sang all the time.  My very first solo performance was in that church when at the age of about 10,  I sang Handel’s “Where E’re You Walk” and Purcell's “Passing By” for the Mother-daughter banquet.  With a doting audience and rave reviews, it was an auspicious start...and I was hooked.

 

When my family moved to Ohio, I started High School and began singing in the choir. Ohio has a great tradition of High School Choral competitions, and I started participating in them and also High School Solo competitions early on.   I was no big winner, but this experience was a huge advantage in learning how to control my nerves in future auditions.  By the time I had to do auditions professionally, I had been doing it for years.

 

From there I went to Ohio University in Athens OH intending to study Music Therapy.  Before the end of my first semester, my teachers convinced me that I should really be studying voice and preparing for a career in Music.  So that’s what I did.  I studied, won competitions, sang several roles with the Opera Theater and had a blast.  Being a big fish in a small pond is a great way to build confidence in a performer.

 

When I graduated from college, I moved to Philadelphia and lived with my sister and brother-in-law and their new baby for several months and found my way to Temple University, where I met my teacher, Dr Christine Anderson.  Chris is the person who really taught me the technique I depend on today.   To pay for Grad school, I got a job at a local hospital as an Admissions Clerk, which I discovered I loved.  I would go to school during the day, and I would work the evening shift at the hospital. It was great fun, but after a while, I was broke and exhausted and I left school.  Every good success story has some forks in the road, right?  This one is mine.

 

 

After I left school, I worked my way through positions of greater responsibility in the field of Health Care until I ended up at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of OB/GYN.  I was hired to manage a Federal Grant intended to reduce infant mortality in West Philadelphia.  It was important, invigorating work, and I loved it.  Of course, during this time, I was still singing.  I had found a home with the Choir of the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and I was very happy.  But after 10 years of Mom and Dad asking when I was going to get back to pursuing my singing career,  I contacted my teacher and began again.  I took lessons with Chris, I worked with Vocal Coaches, I took language and movement classes and I continued working part-time so I could pay for all of it.  I studied privately for a few years and then started auditioning. Believe it or not, one of the first auditions I did was for the Chorus of the Metropolitan Opera. There were 400 people at that audition but I knew something was right, and it was.  When they hired me, I left my job and home in Philadelphia and moved to New York City.  I have been a full-time employee at the Met ever since.

 

 

 

 

What’s it like being a full-time chorister?  IT’S HARD WORK.  It’s also incredibly exciting.  You work hand in hand with a very large group of people.  You spend all your time together making this incredible art in very close quarters.  Singer’s personalities tend to be very big, so there is a lot of negotiating that mine-field. Tempers inevitably flare, but so does deep love and appreciation for each other.  The costumes are hot, heavy, and cumbersome.  But also incredibly detailed and beautiful.  If you had told me when I was 10 years old that I would have over 20 ball gowns custom built for me to wear on stage while I was singing...I would never have believed you. It’s a real dream come true, even with all the sweat and tears, and aching back knees and feet.

 

 

A typical day starts with a morning rehearsal on stage, blocking a scene with the actors and sometimes the soloists.  This can be tedious, but also a lot of fun.  We portray gypsies, noblemen and women, peasants (so many peasants) nuns, priests, imaginary characters,  you name it, we have done it.   When the first stage rehearsal is over for the day, we will either have a musical rehearsal with our boss, Chorus Master Donald Palumbo or have another staging rehearsal.  We rehearse several operas at the same time, so it is not unusual at all to switch gears between languages, styles, and eras in one day.  How do we keep it all straight?  I have no idea.  We just do.  We’re all highly trained professional singers, and keeping all the balls in the air at once is just something that comes naturally at this point.  Oh, did I mention that last season we actually had to learn to juggle for the production of Philip Glass’s Ahknaten?  Yep, singing some of the most challenging music we have learned, in a language none of us know (anybody ever study Ancient Egyptian?) we had to juggle.  We had so much fun.  I am happy to report that we kept almost all the balls in the air.

 

 

When rehearsal for the day is done, we’ll have a break of several hours where we can manage the things that need to be done in our private lives.  For some people that’s an exercise class, running errands, or taking a much-needed nap.  For others, it’s rushing home to be with the kids for a few hours.  Then it’s back to work to prepare for that night’s performance.  Every day is different. Not every opera has a chorus and not every opera that has a chorus requires all of us.  So, we can have long stretches of 7 shows a week with daily rehearsals, long stretches of no work at all, or a million different combinations of that schedule.  Time off is precious, and we get very little of it during the season.  Our time off is during May, June, and July when the opera house is taken over by the American Ballet Theater.  We normally go back to work in August, beginning with daily musical rehearsals, learning the music for that season.

 

 

 

Normally at this time, I would be in the first week of the new season.  But of course, last March, the Metropolitan Opera closed.  We were paid for the remainder of the month, and our health coverage is in place for the duration of the pandemic, but that was all.  We were devastated, but hopeful that by the time the summer was over, we would be back to work as usual.  That was not to be.  On Tuesday we learned that the entire 2020-2021 season has been canceled.  I am one of the fortunate ones.  I have been at the Met long enough to be eligible to retire with a pension, but many of my younger colleagues are not as secure, and these are scary times for them.  I have not yet decided if I will retire or not, but I might not have a choice.  It’s a sad way to end a long and wonderful career, but if that’s how it works out, I will have no regrets.  It’s been an experience of a lifetime.

 

 

So, what’s next?  I have had a long love affair with France.  I've been studying French since the 6th grade and singing in French since High School, so I have a deep love of the language.  But I did not visit France until 2002 when I went to St Victor-la-Coste to work on a project restoring a medieval castle.  I loved it so much I went two summers in a row.  When I met my husband Stephen, I asked if he wanted to go with me and rent a house near Uzès for a month.  We have been returning to the Uzès area almost every summer since.   Our plan has always been to live there for at least a year when I retire, so when France finally opens up to US citizens, I can think of no better time to go and to start a whole new chapter of this incredible adventure.  And maybe it’s time I finally met Corey, and give her a really long overdue hug.

 

I asked Rebecca ...

Which was your favorite opera to sing?

 

My favorite opera to sing changes from season to season.  I have to say that my favorites have been the modern ones.  "Satyagraha" by Philip Glass and "The Death of Klinghoffer" by John Adams touched something in me so deeply, that I found myself in tears during performances.  The modern operas I have done have always challenged me musically and I have loved that experience.  I love the work of a very young composer Nico Muhly, and the experience of singing the words "SHUT THE F-CK UP" over and over again during the opera "Two Boys" is something I will always remember.   Last season we performed "Ahknatan" by Philip Glass and it was so hard to learn, and I got to learn to juggle while wearing an enormous beetle on my head.  It does not get better than that.

 

 

What was your favorite opera to dress for?

 

 

 

 

 

Well, the aforementioned beetle on my head is hard to beat.  But my favorite costume to wear has definitely changed over the years.  At first, it was the huge elaborate ball gowns with the tight corset and elaborate wig that I loved.  Now, I am all about comfort and the benefits of a wimple cannot be overstated.

 

 

Who are some of your favorite leads?

 

Again, this changes year to year, and there are always new incredible artists to discover.  Some of my favorites are unsung heroes of the opera world, like Mezzo-Sopranos Wendy White and Maria Zifcheck and tenors Mark Schowalter and Tony Stevenson.  Always on point, incredible singing actors and colleagues,  but rarely the stars, (although they should be!) they, like the chorus, are the glue that keeps the opera together.

 

What is your favorite opera to listen to?

 

You might be surprised to know that I don't really listen to opera.  It is in my head and in my life so much, that I really need a break from it.  When I listen to music, it is a small chamber ensemble choral music.  Voces 8, The Tallis Scholars, Seraphic Fire, and the Nordic Chamber Choir are some favorites.  I also love ancient liturgical chant, and if you find me on the subway with headphones on, I am probably listening to the Monks of The Abbey of Sant'Antimo in Montalcino, Italy singing the chanted liturgy of the hours.  

 

Please follow Rebecca on Instagram under 

https://www.instagram.com/mybackstageopera/?hl=en

 

Comments

[Diogenes]

Well RebeccaNYC what a delightful post!! What an interesting life and a pleasure to meet you. I have probably seen you on stage. Lucia de Lammermoor when Nathalie Dessay sang it, Yoncheva in La Traviatta? and others...Your scarab headdress is everything! The arts are so important, thank you for being an essential part of the wonderful Met. And I hope you'll be back when all's clear. Then I can see you in a performance. PS - Corey in person is every bit as wonderful as you suspect.

[Dawn]

I thoroughly enjoyed your post, Rebecca. What a whirlwind life--and your images and descriptions took me back to the nights I spent in an opera pit playing the fiddle, and the days in an opera costume shop sewing trim on gowns. I loved that atmosphere of comraderie you describe. Will go check out your instagram. Thank you again, and thank you Corey for this great idea of highlighting your readers. What a treat!

[Jeanne]

Rebecca this was enchanting as the first guest blogger for Corey, it was an absolute delight to read all about your life.
How fabulous.
I will be sure to follow you on Instagram.
Blessings
Jeanne

[penni]

Just incredible! What a life you had led, and thank you for sharing it! I clicked every link and enjoyed it all very much, I'm happy to say I am follower #760 on your IG account and after scrolling and clicking for the better part of an hour I look forward to viewing (and re-viewing) your content there!

If this is the beginning of your reader's content, what a fun it will be for me to read each post!

[Niki]

What an excellent post! Music is such an important part of life. Enjoyed immensely living your life through your post. You should write a book.

[Donna Lundeen]

Your career at the Met sounds like a dream job to me! Wonderful photos and descriptions of life at the Met. You took such an interesting route to the opera chorus; life sometimes works that way doesn’t it? I do hope you will be able to return to the opera, but if not, a year ( or more? ) in France would be the consolation prize. I hadn’t really thought before about all the costumes that may never be worn again. I worked for 8 years in the Pittsburgh opera costume shop (and sang in the chorus there,) And that represents an incredible number of man hours, making new costumes for new chorus members. I digress, thank you for this snapshot of your dream-come-true-career.

[Lil]

Love your post. What a great career! I used to work in the SF Opera scenic shop and I'd have loved to be in the chorus. If only I could carry a tune! Thanks. Loved seeing all the photos of you in costume.

[Arnelle]

REBECCA...BRAVA!

[jackie]

Brava! What an enchanting person and wonderful story. Loved every last drop.

[Linda McDaniel]

Fascinating post. Thank you so much for sharing!

[Marilyn]

What a fascinating career!
I love hearing what other women end up doing and how they got there.
It never is a straight line. Then listening to chants on the way to sing opera. Love it all!

[Ann of Avondale]

Rebecca, WOW! Nice to meet you and read about your wonderful career. My husband and I love going to the Opera. Sometimes after an Opera production, I leave totally high from the experience. We usually go all out and dress up, I'll have my glass of wine at intermission and when we leave I am transformed by the whole experience. Cannot wait for life to go back to normal so we can go to the Opera, Symphony, and Ballet. Thanks for sharing your life and the wonderful pictures.

[Susan]

What a great post. I have been an opera lover since I was 13. It's wonderful to get a behind the scenes view. As a singer in a small community choir. I know how difficult performing can be. I can't imagine what it's like at your level. Voce8 is a fave. And Sunday mornings listening to Choral Concert on CBC is another. I hope France is in your future.

[Ella Dyer]

Bonjour Rebecca and Corey,

Thank you both for this fascinating read during my morning coffee. Rebecca, you'll probably find more than a few churches clamoring for your talents to be shared with their congregations. The Cantor of our sweet Holy Trinity in Nice was formerly with the Nice Opera and delights us on a weekly basis with his gift of song even though group signing is halted due to the virus.

Hope to meet you both whenever your travels bring you to the Côte d'Azur.

[Vicki Perkins]

What a wonderful inaugural guest post!

[Christina Mifsud]

Bravissime Rebecca e Corey! I thoroughly enjoyed this post and look into life behind the scenes of the MET. God bless creative souls like your own - and your energy you share with us all.....

[judyo]

Oh, this is going to be so fun! What an amazing and interesting first reader.
I wanted to ask Rebecca if she ever had the late Justice Ginsburg in the audience.

[Tom]

Womderful post Rebecca. Visuals and story are captivating and educational! Thank you!

[Franki]

Rebecca, your story deserves a standing ovation. Thank you!

[Kathy]

Rebecca, so very lovely to meet you. Thank you very much for sharing your story with us!

[Jennie]

What a fascinating life. How can I share my simple little life after this!!!!!!

[Linda Vaias]

I enjoyed the guest comments by Rebecca. I am sorry that she is in retirement now and not able to continue her singing with the chorus. She has given a wonderful story about the life she has spent. It has been a great time for her and she has a lot to remember. Few people are given such a great life as she has had. We are all jealous.
Glad to know she has done so well.

[Denise Dineen]

Wow, what an interesting life. Great idea having guest posts.

[Teddee Grace]

You're one of these people who seem to have lived several lifetimes in one! How interesting to read your story and see all of the wonderful costumes. Thank you for sharing and I hope you don't have to retire until you are really ready, but the French venture sounds like a whole new life as well. All the best.

[Virginia D.]

Rebecca, I loved your post! What a fabulous career! It brought back many happy memories for me as my daughter was in the children's chorus at the Met for a couple of years when she was a tiny singer. I loved waiting in the cafeteria, surrounded by the bewigged and bejeweled singers...I'm so sorry to hear about the Met's difficulties this year and hope that you can continue to perform. Best wishes for your upcoming year in Uzès.

[Maureen]

Wow, wow, wow! Thank you for sharing. Not only what you've done but the clear joy you take in it is an inspiration.
In the coincidences common to the blog world, I am a physician at the University of Pennsylvania in the department of Ob/Gyn!

[Linda Piazza]

What an auspicious beginning for these guest posts! I am so appreciative of the richness, color, and LIFE you brought into my home this morning when last week delivered so many dispiriting experiences for us all.

[Daniel Shigo]

Rebecca, you write as beautifully as you sing! Fabulous blog! So proud to call you Friend! BRAVA!

[RebeccaNYC]

Thank you all so much for your kind comments! You have really lifted my spirits during a difficult time. I should have mentioned that you can follow the activities of the Met Opera Chorus on Instagram and Facebook @metoperachorus or on our own blog: http://www.metchorusartists.com Even when we are not physically together, we're a pretty tight group and we are always up to something!

Thank you again Corey, for inviting me. I am really looking forward to reading others stories! Wishing you all the very best.

[LeighNZ]

What an utterly fascinating career you’ve had. Such and interesting post and lovely to meet you.

[Kathy]

Thank you for your amazing post! Such fun to read! Great to meet you.