Today is the last day of the first round, and the only day when all 10 of the conducting slots are taken. The competition was open to 60 conductors and for one reason or another only 52 have turned up. You will know if you have read the posts below that there could have been only 51.
I have been able to watch most of my fellow competitors doing their rehearsal of Cav, I intend to treck into Bourgas (the hotel is 18km from the theatre) to watch the last session today. I am not going to make comments on this blog about named individuals, but I will about the general standard. It has been very mixed, with some people who are very inexperienced simply not knowing what to do nor how to do it. The experience will be quite a shock to them and they will go away chastened and realising that they have a lot to learn about conducting opera. It's a very different game from the symphony orchestra. A handful of people have been very good, and one in particular exceptionally good. He had everything, clarity, musicianship, excellent technique for cueing the singers and shaping the phrases of the band, with good accompanying skills and control. He was a joy to watch.
How do I think I have faired in all this? I really do not know, and I am not thinking about it. As I have mentioned before we have no idea of what the judges are looking for and it is entirely possible that they are looking for something that I did not give them. I came out here for the experience and to give myself the chance of getting noticed. I have enjoyed the experience and the challenge, if I am not noticed then so be it.
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