St. Gallen, Switzerland
 
One of the benefits of being the husband of an International opera star is that, when Mlada is invited to sing in Switzerland, I automatically get invited to come along. I can not go on every trip with Mlada, because of other obligations, but due to Mlada’s pregnancy I felt that I should be present.

Mlada’s Swiss debut in Bellini’s Norma was a tremendous success.  Further, the success was double fold because she was eight months pregnant at the time. The entire production and cast in St. Gallen, Switzerland were very supportive.  Everyday Mlada arrived at the theatre, one the staff asked how she was feeling.  Mlada asked me if she looked sick.  I told her just the opposite.  She looks radiant.  The St. Gallen staff wanted to make sure that she was comfortable.

Lindy Hume, Artistic Director of the Perth Festival in Australia, directed this Norma. When we found out that Mlada would deliver near the first Norma performance, we immediately asked her agency if St. Gallen would have a problem with her singing.  St. Gallen responded that Lindy Hume believed that the pregnancy and Mlada’s very pronounced belly added to the character of Norma.  After all, Norma has already had two children by the tenor Polline.  The idea another child was on the way added a lot of color to the production.

Please take the time to look in Mlada’s photo gallery for production photos.  The photographer was quite amazing and Mlada would like to acknowledge him for his generosity…Toni Küng, www.SBF.ch. 

The druid costumes were excellently constructed and helped hide Mlada’s round belly.  From the audience it was difficult to see that she was pregnant at all.  At the party after the opening night production, many of the patrons were amazed to find out that Mlada was pregnant.  Norma is one of the most difficult roles in the soprano repertoire, let alone signing it 8 months pregnant.  Mlada is a strong and wonderfully gifted lady.
           
St. Gallen itself is a very beautiful town.  Before I arrived Mlada had already blazed up a couple mountain trails outside the old city center.  There are breath taking views from the top.  I was amazed that Mlada had the energy to make the trek every two days, but she really felt it was necessary to keep her legs in shape for the performance.         

The old center of St. Gallen has not changed much since the 12th century.  The preservation has largely been successful through limiting the access of automobiles.  The baroque cathedral in the center city is very simple on the outside, but gorgeous inside.  The cathedral has a very large and beautiful organ.  Organ concerts are held once a week by master organists from all over Europe.
 
Mlada and I also had the chance to go to the beautiful city of Lucern.  Of course, we visited Richard Wagner’s home.  Rain soaked us as we ran from the bus and down a paved path surround by green field to Wagner’s home.  Wagner stayed in Lucern only 5 years, but there he composed his great comic opera Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg.  The train ride from Lucern and back to St. Gallen was truly beautiful.  The Swiss trains are comfortable and quite, offering glorious views of the beautiful Swiss landscape.
 
Mlada will return to St. Gallen for Norma in October 2005 for two more performances, December 2005 two performances and two final performances in March 2006.  If you are in Switzerland get tickets for her Norma.  Check the St. Gallen website for details, but hurry.  Few tickets are remaining.

Best Wishes from,
Mlada and Peter