The Audition

Here I am sitting and waiting for my flight back home at the Ataturk airport in Istanbul. I've been in Turkey for the past week for an audition with the Izmir State Opera. It sure has been a funny ride...

When I've left London we've had a delay because of bad weather conditions in Turkey which let me to believe that my life was coming to an end whilst going through the worst turbulence that I've ever experienced before touch down in Izmir. My friend Nejla Baskin's husband and daughter picked me up from the airport to host me during my stay. They are ever so loving and caring. They made me feel right at home with their warmth and hospitality, this is a very typical but a wonderful Turkish characteristic. Even though all was wonderful one feels exposed and fragile when abroad and about to do an important audition. My anxiety levels were in high alert and I've had little sleep and little food before my audition. However, the audition went quite well. I've sang to the director, conductor and the manager of the opera house. They were all really lovely folk with a keen interest in my voice. After our chat about what could be done, I've immediately started feeling good. No more anxiety, no more stress, and no more anorexia! Yuppie... Thinking back over this state that I was in, my mind goes blank almost telling my soul to be strong because their really isn't a solution for the mind to calm during these kinds of situations. Although, I would really like to just punch a button to make it all vanish!


My visit to Izmir was very exciting, packed with good and positive things. After my visit I took off to Istanbul to let go and enjoy the city a bit, and I sure did. What a spellbinding city! Last night I've had some traditional malt drink to die for called Boza and watched a new Turkish movie called Zenne Dancer, based on a true story about a gay guy who was murdered by his own family for being gay. Great movie that has been sweeping awards internationally and rightly so. Today I've visited Ortakoy, very hip part of town to have a wonderful Sunday brunch. With the sun shining and great scenery I was in great sprits until now. I have been waiting for my flight to take off for the past seven hours! Still don't know when or if it will. The travel for this trip has been one of the worst experiences ever, but again it is great to get some wisdom from other singer friends such Ann Hallenberg who must be the most frequent traveling singer that I know! She told me to be patient and I shall listen to the guru! Bye for now...