In Love in Germany

As I look out my frosted windows over cold and desolate Hartford, I am finding myself longing for summer. 

This past summer was magical for us. As classical artists, my husband and I feel a bit like fish out of water here in the states. That isn't to say there isn't amazing art happening in the states or there aren't incredibly talent musicians hidden in every tiny town and big city, but our art form comes alive in Europe.  

To walk the streets Mozart and Beethoven did, see the town where Goethe wrote his poetry, or sit at a café Puccini frequented is to gain a deeper understanding of our art form and life. I know, spoken like a true artist, right?

Jerron and I traveled to Saarburg, Germany where we spent two wonderful weeks full of rehearsing and practicing and evenings performing for the most appreciative German audiences.

I was given the most fabulous 1960's wiggle dress to perform in. The German audiences loved it; I was actually asked if I was a movie star when I wore it! Yesterday's Lady knew exactly which dress  would travel well, fit perfectly, and steal the stage! 

We lived those two weeks. 

We ate rich and delicious food, drank world famous wine, danced in the streets, sang for hours, walked cobblestone streets, biked winding roads and hiked among grape vines. Just like I said, it was a magical summer.

Here are a few of our favorite moments!

Vespa, anyone?

On the way up to ride the Rodelbahn!

The sweetest corner of Saarburg, The biergarten at the Hotel-Villa Keller!

Top of an old castle with Saarburg in the background.

Little Italy in the middle of Saarburg

The Saar river in the heart of Riesling country

over the weekend

Hi all!  This is a little late but better late than never, right? Things have been a bit crazy as we are preparing for 5th Street Vintage's grand opening on Thursday night!  If you are in the Beatrice, NE area we would LOVE to see you! Check out our Facebook page for more information on our Little Black Dress Party!

Okay, enough of that! Here are 5 things that I found so wonderful this weekend:

1. Life magazine photographer, William Vandivert, took these incredible color photos of Paris in the Summer of 1939.  This was just eleven months before the Nazis invaded the city and more than 2 million Parisians fled the city. 

2. The history behind the "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster is so much more than I thought. The saying has been parodied so many times, I had no idea the real meaning behind it! This is fascinating and truly touching...

3.  Frank Sinatra singing opera! Frank Sinatra and Kathryn Grayson sing a duet from Don Giovanni in the 1947 film It Happened in Brooklyn. Ah! Mozart sounds beautiful even when crooned...

4.  This is my M.O. 

5.  These vintage Toronto Transit etiquette guides are hilarious!

Sault!

The Vintage Chanteuse

Weekly Playlist: The Waltz

Hi There! As an opera singer, music is my life. Between my fiancé (who is a musician as well) and I, there is always music pouring from our apartment. Lately, I've been dreaming of Europe and feeling a bit homesick for cobblestone streets, rich espresso, and rotwein. To help sooth my aching heart, I've created a playlist with music of the most beautifully wistful kind: the waltz! I hope you enjoy this playlist and find yourself dreaming about sitting at a French café with a croissant and café au lait or on the streets of Vienna with a large glass of rotwein.  

Salut!

The Vintage Chanteuse

*In order to listen to the playlist below, please follow the instructions to sign-up for a Spotify account. It is quick, easy, and completely free!