Yesterday I performed in the pit orchestra of the “Magic Flute.” My first performance in Italy. My first performance in a country that is not the U.S.

It does not feel that different from American performances. The rules are pretty much the same– seeing as Americans derived Classical Music performance culture from European Classical performance culture.

I guess that is one thing that is nice about CM (Classical Music) culture– it is very similarly practiced in the U.S. as in Europe. Maybe there are differences of technique or pedagogy, but that is true even in the U.S. alone.

It is interesting to be in a foreign country but still know exactly what my role is. And that is all thanks to years of study of a European Classical music tradition.