[This is a guest post by Jennifer Pugsley, media relations manager at the Canadian Opera Company. Jennifer is joining David Feheley and many others from the COC for the U.S. premiere of The Nightingale of Other Short Fables at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). This post was written Feb. 27.] 

The theatre may have been dark on Sunday, Feb. 27, here in Brooklyn, but it was still a big day for the COC's The Nightingale and Other Short Fables. Today, the chorus and orchestra for the production was scheduled to arrive. We're not talking about a few people here, but just over 120, all of whom are needed to hold the final rehearsal on Monday night and, most importantly, the U.S. premiere on Tuesday.

The opera gods smiled upon the COC today and ensured flights departed Toronto and arrived in New York on time, that traffic from the airport moved smoothly, and that all singers and musicians arrived at the hotel safe and sound. The first wave of chorus and orchestra members arrived around 8 p.m., the second wave came at 9:30 p.m., and I can't quite remember when the third and final group arrived, but I can tell you that it was around the time that Natalie Portman won the award for Best Actress.

With everyone now accounted for, we're all set and raring to go for the final rehearsal on Monday night.

Here are some photos of all the welcome packages that BAM prepared for the group for pickup at the hotel as well as a few of the "weary" travellers.

 

 

Photos from top: Wallis Giunta receives her welcome package. Members of the COC orchestra and chorus arrive in NYC. Welcome packages are spread out on a table.

All photos © Canadian Opera Company, 2011