As my time in Toronto winds down the days are filled not only with boredom and anticipation of being back at home, but also with Canada's version of sweltering heat! It was but a few weeks ago my colleague and I were hurrying to the gym in order to get out of the cold wind... and today there is a high of 31! (thats 88 to you and me) ...its odd it feels a lot warmer. I think the conversions might be a little off.

Tonight we have Maria Stuarda #6 with only 2 shows remaining; Friday evening and Sunday afternoon... and then HOME! sing it with me... "The stars at night are big and bright .... DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS" Its been a wonderful few months here in the great white north and I thank our neighbors to the north for their hospitality, but I'm ready to be home.

After having "lived" with our neighbors to the north now for about 3 and a half weeks, I am here to say that its not all that different from home. I mean, is it ever? I guess if you're 100 miles from civilization in the Siberian tundra, things might seem foreign... but here in Toronto there are a few words that when pronounced will always make my giggle - but other than that its quite familiar.

But, lets talk singin'. This cast of MARIA STUARDA just might be the most amazing cast of singers that I have ever been surrounded by. I have been incredibly fortunate to work with the colleagues and directors who truly put their stamp on the work that they do, but this cast that The COC has put together is truly a dream team of Bel Canto. Serena Farnocchia takes the title role and truly offers what I believe to be the most amazing singing I have ever heard. She is simply amazing. Alexandrina Pendachanska plots the death of Mary as Queen Elizabeth and is FIERCE! Eric Cutler not…

Ok... so, maybe THE MOST embarrassing moment happened to me on stage last night at The Meyerson. I have been under the weather for the past few weeks with a nasty sinus infection and swollen everythings... so, I'm on a number of different medications that can dry me out. SO... hydrate! "Must drink with full glass of water." should be my freakin MOTTO! I'm a good boy and I do what I'm told. ...well, mostly. At any rate, after I had settled in on the gorgeous stage of The Meyerson Symphony Center and had made it through my first aria I sat back down next to the lovely soprano, Talise Trevigno and started thinking about my next piece, the ever challenging Estuans interius. I'm not sure if it was the sight of the dots on the page or just by that time in the evening... but while my mind was saying, "Ok... calm down - time to focus and pull it together for one of the most challenging arias I have ever sung" But, my body said, "TIME TO PEE!" ...oh,…