Klarinet Archive - Posting 000616.txt from 1998/11

From: Jacqueline Eastwood <eastwooj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: [kl] Clarinet playing and fever
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998 14:03:39 -0500

On Wed, 11 Nov 1998, Edwin V. Lacy wrote:

> I've been playing in various professional situations for nearly 50 years,
> so naturally I have played many times when I didn't really feel like it,
> and some times when I really should have been in bed and under a doctor's
> care. However, when other people are counting on you, not playing is not
> an option. So, to the best of my recollection, I have never missed a
> performance due to illness. Sometimes I had to take my cold remedies and
> my tissues on stage with me, but as these occasions have not been very
> frequent, I have just kept going.
>

Well, I haven't been playing for quite as long as you, Ed (20 years at the
outside!), but I have to agree with the statement that "not playing is not
an option". I played "Butterfly" with the 'flu (thank goodness I didn't
need the paper bag on the floor next to me!), I played Tchaik #4 with a
raging sinus infection; you name a disease, I can tell you what I played
while I had it! The only time I've had to bail in the middle of a
performance was Gotterdammerung; you can't play in a claustrophobic pit
when you're dizzy and nauseous. The costume ladies took care of me for
the remainder of Act I, and I managed to make it through Acts II and III
(of course, when you're talking about a 5 hour opera........)

But, oh, the guilt! I thought the Music Director would be furious; I was
letting down my section, etc. etc. I have yet to be hit by a bus on my
way to a performance (knock on wood!) but I have no idea what would happen
if I just didn't show up! Would they try to find a sub? What about
getting the music? I'm curious if anyone has experienced anything like
this (hopefully not under tragic circumstances; merely unavoidable ones
like some woman player going into labor or something!). Any stories out
there?

Jacqueline Eastwood
Business Manager, School of Music Principal Clarinet, Arizona Opera
University of Arizona 98-99 Season Website:www.azopera.com
eastwooj@-----.edu

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