Diary of an Opera Singer: Stars

Rhoslyn Jones

January 7, 2023

In college I walked from my dorm room to evening opera rehearsal up a long uphill path just as a computer science class was being let out of their lecture for the day. Two hundred happy nerds bustling out of class headed to the bars, busses, and bookstore came rushing like a roaring river down the road toward me.

I was most likely headed to spend my night in a Grisette costume doing the can-can in heels while singing (screlting) Léhar. Who’s the nerd now? Like a feisty fish fighting its way upstream, I leaned into their current and pushed my way up and through.

Sure, I could have gone another way but for some reason I really liked the feeling of being the only one going in the opposite direction. I enjoyed fighting in this way and moving against the resistance of many. As soon as I made it up the hill and the nerds had dispersed, I let out a sigh of relief and joyfully headed to the theater. Like sparkling gems, I’d watch the stars come out one by one, lighting my way on.

Photo by Helenna Santos