I am writing this on a calm Saturday afternoon. In two hours we will open our production of Maria Stuarda. The dress rehearsal this past Tuesday went exactly how a dress rehearsal is supposed to go: well enough to prove that we are ready for opening night, but still with a few little issues here and there that—once they've happened in rehearsal—won't happen again in performance. I am knocking on wood while I write this and look forward to seeing Stephen Lawless's beautiful production with our two queens, Serena Farnocchia and Alexandrina Pendatchanska, released to the public today.

Idomeneo, which will open a week tomorrow, is taking shape as well. Yesterday evening, we had the first stage and orchestra rehearsal. Conductor Harry Bicket and I decided to put the orchestra very high in the pit, and the resulting sound was just incredible. All the details and colours of Mozart's wonderful orchestral writing filled the auditorium with the utmost clarity. I think we have found a new pit position for operas with a small orchestra. I will keep you informed about the progress of this production in the course of next week.

Before I have to go to the theatre, I will continue listening to René Jacob's beautiful recording of Mozart's Clemenza di Tito (with Alexandrina Pendatchanska, our Elisabetta tonight, as Vitellia) and read a few more pages of the Verdi-Boito Correspondence. Have a good weekend.