I'm baaack

Well after a crazy summer of hitting Austria's many wonderful music and dance festivals, a successful launch to a new opera company, a tour with the National Lyric Opera's production of Tosca and an incredible evening of comic opera set in a speakeasy...I finally have one moment to breathe and blog.

Austria:  The summer was a whirlwind of events and travel for me.  I found myself involved with a great group of artists and Austrians, and thus ended up in Austria this summer for 2 weeks.  On my travels I visited Vienna, Graz, Salzburg and Carinthia.  What a lovely country with lovely people.  I can't wait to go back.  And the music was sublime.  The only downside is that the food is so delicious that I had to do some serious damage control once I got back to the States.

Opera Moderne:  My new opera company Opera Moderne launched on August 31st...and the New York Times gave us a very favorable review among a few other reviewers.  And just recently we performed the rarely done Wolf-Ferrari comic opera "Le Donne Curiose" to a completely packed house at The Players Club this past Friday.  It was a roaring success with everyone dressing in 1920s fashion and enjoying an evening of prohibition cocktails, great jazz & opera singing, and the wonderful Hot Box Girls who came in and entertained during the intermissions.  It was a night not to be missed!

Diet & Exercise:  After my ridiculous eating in Austria, I came back to NYC and found myself a bit chubbier than I like.  So my girls and I put ourselves on the Dukan diet.  Wow did this work!  I lost a good 13 lbs. in a month and was very pleased to take on some performing when it came to me on Oct. 20th (it was a new twist on Musetta, the clothing was minimal).  Now I've been slacking off a bit and need to get myself and my mindset back on track.  Not to mention, it's time to find myself regularly at the gym, especially with the changing weather coming in (no more beautiful, warm, outside work-outs).  I've got no excuse.  I've gotta bust my butt...if nothing else than to be in great shape in February for when I go back to Vienna to sing this same Musetta role.  I want to look like a freakin' bikini model if I can help it.  I guess it's Dr. Dukan and Jillian Michaels to the rescue.  One thing I have realized on the Dukan diet is that when you have Protein Veggie days, please make sure to get LOTS of green vegetables.  I suggest having a pure green juice if you can get it...those micronutrients are so important and your body needs it.  I'll stick to Dukan until my goal weight of 20 lbs. down from now, and then I'm switching over to slow carb, because I love me some legumes.  I know Paleo works, but I miss my dairy and legumes...so that is the choice I've made.

Simply Green Juice

- 1 cup of spinach

- 2 cups of kale

- 2 cups of parsley

- 1 cucumber

- 3 celery stalks

Add a little garlic and/or ginger if you like. Wash thoroughly and juice.

Well, I hope you are all healthy, happy and fulfilling your goals.  And if you have any questions on these latest adventures, please feel free to hit me up.

Have a great day!

-Bex