One of my resolutions for the New Year was to attend more theatre performances. It might sound strange, but between our own rehearsals and performances, other COC or opera-related events, and a bit of family time, there really isn't much time left to see what my cultural colleagues and their companies do here in the city. And yet, getting out of the opera box is so essential to gather new thoughts and inspiration for my own work.

While in Santa Fe last summer I had enjoyed reading Michael Ondaatje's Divisadero, so I was intrigued to hear that Necessary Angel was presenting a stage adaptation of the novel (by the author and director Daniel Brooks) and more than happy that - just before our evening performance of Nixon in China - I could make it to a performance at the Théâtre Passe Muraille yesterday afternoon. I really enjoyed the performance as much as I had reading the novel and I just regret that I can't urge you to go and see it as the last performance was today. At least, if you haven't read the book I could urge you to do that.

And I really hope I will find more time to attend theatre performances this year.

We're just about to finish a series of four Magic Flutes in four days, the dress rehearsal for our Ensemble Studio performance on Tuesday, the Ensemble Studio performance on Thursday and two performances of the main cast on Wednesday and tonight. Tonight also is Isabel Bayrakdarian's and Michael Schade's last performance. Simone Osborne and Frédéric Antoun will take over for the remaining three performances.

It was truly amazing to have two accomplished artists as Isabel and Michael in our production, but I am also very proud of the members of our Ensemble Studio. Their performance yesterday was more than a fulfilled promise, it put them on the map as a group of artists to watch out for. Bravi!

Our production of The Nightingale and Other Short Fables is in rehearsal again, for our tour to the Brooklyn Academy of Music during the first week of March.