Only one week until the Opera on the Avalon Festival begins and we couldn't be more excited (or busy!). With over 100 performers and faculty coming to entertain the province with a month's worth of opera performance, you can see why we'd be both on the edge of a stress overdose and on the edge of our seats with excitement.
So in order to help deal with the pressure of getting this all together smoothely, here are a few survival tips we've put together to keep us mentally fit during our most stressful times.
OPERA ON THE AVALON'S GUIDE TO STRESS REDUCTION
1. Singing. Surprising, right? Who'd have thought opera fans would recommend singing in order to get to a happy place? But it works! Whether it's in the shower, in your car on the way to work, or embarrassingly loud in the office while your coworkers give you blank stares (I swear there's no story behind this one. No really. That has not happened in our offices. okaymaybeonceortwice), it's just a good way to let of some steam in a creative way. Mind you, it's not without its own stresses. As you can seein the video below, singing under pressure can make for some even more stressful moments:
2. Listen to classical music. Another shocking addition to this list, I know. But classical music is renown for its peaceful tones and calming ability. If you're feeling a little overworked, why not listen to a Bach Concerto, a Mozart symphony, or one of the most famous works of all, Handel's Messiah? Just make sure you're listening to a reliable organist:
3. Watch a sporting event. Okay, so maybe the best escape from opera related stress is to get away from any kind of music altogether and enjoy a good old fashioned sporting event. The NHL and NBA playoffs are on right now, why not enjoy something like that? Sports aren't everyone's cup of tea for sure, but it'll certainly take you away from opera stress, if only for a moment. Whatever you choose to watch, perhaps think twice before enjoying some Japanese horse racing:
Now that we're relieved of all stress (and perhaps questioning our sanity just a little bit), it's time to finish preparations for this year's festival. For details on performances, singer's biographies, and how to get involved and donate, be sure to visit our website, like our facebook page, and follow us on twitter. We'll have lots of behind the scenes footage and perhaps something to give you a good chuckle during your busy day. We can't wait to see you all at the festival!
David Maher
Opera on the Avalon Team
