It’s morning on the day of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Grand Finals. It’s 9:00am and I am about to make my way down to the opera house here in thirty minutes. Normally, with an audition this big, I am pacing back and forth, sweating, and praying excessively (were there such a thing). However, this morning my soul is at peace - and I think I know why. Something happened last night that really put this competition (not to mention my career) into its proper place in the list of priority and perspectives. A good friend from high school, Derek DiBlasi, lost his father (Frank DiBlasi). He called me and we prayed together just before it happened.
Things like this help me to understand about the vocation to which I have been called. Number one - vocal technique, character analysis, aural balance, and all those other “opera” things I’m worried about really don’t seem to matter right now. Neither does this competition. What matters is that I need to be there for my friend - and to pray for his family. Number two - opera is focused on imposing smiles, laughs, tears, frowns, deep thoughts and profound meaning into the lives of its listeners and watchers. I can think of no other event outside of death that brings the immense importance of these things to the surface. Life is short. Music is a great gift from God that helps our souls express emotions and communicate with ideas and beings that remain beyond our grasp in the utilization of simple speech or thought.
My task is great and small; small because I will not forget my friend, Derek - great because my obligation here is to perform an art that transcends death and life. I dedicate my performance today to the memory of Frank Diblasi and to the Diblasi family.
SRay
