Talk of the Nation

I called into NPR's Talk of the Nation today. Imagine my surprise when I got through on the first try and then they put me on the air before I'd even gotten to the exit on the highway where I had planned to pull off, in order to avoid talking and driving!The topic was an all-male production of Romeo and Juliet, and the actor playing Juliet was being interviewed. I thought that as an opera singer, I should chime in about how common it is in opera for women to play young men, resulting in love scenes between two women. I've done my share, including the rose presentation scene from Der Rosenkavalier.I am always afraid of babbling, so I tried to keep what I had to say short and to the point. Probably too much so, because as soon as I was off the air I thought of all the more intelligent things I should have said. When asked how it felt to perform a love scene with another woman, I replied that it was a little awkward at first, but when you're playing opposite a man, he's not likely to be your husband or boyfriend so you're acting in any case. Once the singer has on her pants and jacket, for all practical purposes, she's a man.At least I hope that's what I said. The audio will go up here after 6:00 p.m. today, and I may check just to check how it sounded for future reference.ETA: My call is about 7:45 minutes in. I wish I'd had something more interesting to say.