We ended our 2010/11 season with a brilliant performance of Ariadne auf Naxos this afternoon. I'm very proud of this production, the wonderful cast with mostly Canadian singers (there were moments in the opera when there were only Canadians on our stage, up to eight or nine) and a few stunning guests, our fabulous orchestra and Andrew Davis' inspired leadership. Actually, the whole spring season with Ariadne, Orfeo and La Cenerentola made me feel that the COC has reached a new level of achievement. The increasingly enthusiastic reactions of our public after each performance and many, many standing ovations seem to confirm my perception. If I just speak for myself, I found Lawrence Zazzo's performance as Orfeo heartbreaking each single time and Robert Carsen's essential production totally captivating. Not to speak of the period sound and dramatic energy that Harry Bicket got from our chorus and orchestra. Or Lawrence Brownlee's high C's and Elizabeth DeShong's beautifully coloured "Una volta c'era un ré" in Cenerentola, etc. etc. You see I have trouble naming all the things I liked about our spring season and should refrain from trying to review my own productions.

Taking a breath this evening I realize that this already is the end of my third season with the COC. While people still call me the new General Director I feel I have my feet firmly on the ground now and we have done some amazing work together over the past three years. It's important for me to stress that I couldn't have done it alone. We've done it all together. Thank you.

Now, I'm looking forward to the summer with some quiet time and quite a bit of travelling, as always, to some of the usual places, but also to places I haven't been to in quite some time or ever.

Soon enough, we'll be in rehearsals for the 2011/12 season. The journey continues.