Wow, Purcell really rocks. (Sara)

He definitely rocked big hair. :)

Seriously, though, I had forgotten how much I really love Purcell. This week I've been digging through my music and my iPod - in his short life (he died in his mid-30s!) he wrote a ton of great stuff. I've got mostly vocal repertoire, of course, and it's been really interesting to listen to a bunch of different singers interpret Purcell. For example, Emma Kirkby and Susan Graham - how different can you get? Totally different voices and some amazingly different stylistic choices. Both beautiful, both musical, both inspiring.

Much more later - I'm in a whirlwind the next few days tying up loose ends with my students and the never-ending drama of packing. Last year I was living in Gainesville so I would drive down which meant I could bring all kinds of stuff, including a tightly-packed suitcase the size of Guam. This is the first concert where I'm flying in and I am a chronic overpacker - how in the world do I get a week's worth of clothes and shoes into one suitcase??? I mean, a girl has to have her options! I bought a luggage scale because I have paid that heavy suitcase fee one too many times...

My next entry will be from Florida!