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2007 Fare thee well

Ah. The dreaded year-end newsletter. Well, just plug your nose and take it like medicine. It has to be done. At least we didn't send you fruitcake that you'll end up using as a door stop. Unless you need a door stop. In that case, we can send you one.

2007 began for us on Oahu where we celebrated the New Year with Nicole's family in Hawaii. Nicole and I kept busy with our performing schedules. Nicole began the year performing the role of Hansel in Hansel und Gretel for West Bay Opera's Opera in the Schools outreach program. She performed for Sopianos in concert in Santa Clara as well as a big concert in San Jose with Comedian Jeff Applebaum in February. Nicole also continued her work with the San Francisco Opera Chorus, performing in Samson et Dalilah, which opened the season and a beautiful production of Tannhauser. Nicole also continues her work at UCSF in the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department.
Nicole and I were again fortunate this year in that we got to be involved in two productions together. The first was in The Merry Widow at West Bay Opera in May/June and in the San Francisco Opera Guild's Opera a la Carte School Show, a condensed version of The Magic Flute. We really enjoyed working with the school kids and feel very strongly about bringing art back into education. We made good use of our new Prius as we drove to shows as far North as Santa Rosa, as far West as Fairfield and Livermore and as far south as Palo Alto. Nicole even made a trip up to Fort Bragg and Eureka for two shows. Good times!
I performed as Gherman in Queen of Spades February for West Bay Opera as well as my May/June performance for them as Camille de Rosillon in Merry Widow. In March I reprized the role of Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte with Rimrock Opera in Billings, Montana. June started out with a bang as I was a prize-winning finalist in the first-annual Dalis Vocal Competition in San Jose, CA. I traveled to Boise, Idaho in September to perform the role of Rodolfo in La Boheme for Opera Idaho. It was a real treat because almost all of the people involved in the production were friends of mine, including Conductor David Rohrbaugh, Director David Cox, "Marcello" Jason Detwiler, "Mimi" Barbara Divis, "Musetta" Aimee Puentes, and "Colline" Dennis Rupp. A good time was had by all.
Nicole and I were fortunate enough to travel many places this year. She met me in Billings to see my show in March, and we traveled to NYC in June for auditions and spending time with friends and family. In late June, Nicole's relatives from Norway, Knut-Erik, Gro and their sons Magnus and Oystein stayed with us for 10 days. We took them to all the tourist spots and their first baseball game. They were great house guests.
We were able to attend the wedding in Hawaii of Nicole's cousin Everett Wong and his bride Kamomi on July 8 in Waikiki. We had a blast!
we spent the weekend in Napa for our 3rd anniversary and then the next day participated in a soundtrack recording for a video game at Skywalker Ranch, the home of Lucasfilm, in Nicasio, CA. I completely geeked out!
We are also thankful for our nieces Lina and Emily and our nephew Evan. We spend as much time with them as possible and love it! We are also very grateful for the success of my father Mike's heart bypass and valve replacement in October. He is doing well now and has lost 35 lbs.!
In November we moved to a new apartment in the Sunset District, south of Golden Gate Park from our old place. We are finally settled in and look forward to a new year full of joy and peace. We wish you and yours much of the same.

Happy Holidays!
Adam and Nicole

First Annual Irene Dalis Vocal Competition

Please come and cheer me on as one of ten finalists in the First Annual Irene Dalis Vocal Competition at the California Theater in San Jose, CA tomorrow night, Friday June 1st.
The competition, which will take place at the elegant California Theatre located at 345 South First Street in downtown San José, will start at 7 p.m. on June 1 at the conclusion of the West Coast Auditions. The ten best singers chosen from the West Coast Auditions will be the featured finalists.


There will be three major prizes awarded:

1st Prize - $15,000
Second Prize - $10,000
Third Prize - $5,000

An Audience Favorite Award (to be voted on by the audience during final intermission) of $5,000 will also be presented, as well as an Encouragement Award of $1,000 each to the remaining Finalists.

The judges who will select the three top winners will include Peter Mark, artistic director of Virginia Opera, Diane Zola, artistic Administrator of Houston Grand Opera; and Christopher Hahn, artistic director of Pittsburgh Opera.

Tickets are $75 for orchestra seating which includes a champagne reception following the performance, or $50 without the reception and can be ordered by calling the Opera San José box office: (408) 437-4450.

Hope to see you there!

Spring in San Francisco

Spring is here in San Francisco and I am settling in after a 5-week work trip to Billings, Montana for a Cosi fan tutte and then a 2-week audition trip to NYC. The smell of blooming jasmine and the sun shining on the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge are like a balm on my soul. Wherever you are, revel in Springtime.

Cosi fan tutte in Billings, Montana

Curt Olds, Dennis Rupp and I singing in a school preview for Rimrock Opera's production of "Cosi fan tutte" in Billings, Montana. It has been a fun experience and we are going to have our first run through of the show tonight. The group of singers that Artistic Director Douglas Nagel has assembled is outstanding; we are an even mix of local and national talent.

Billings is a beautiful city and I am enjoying the natural beauty of Big Sky Country. Here is a sampling of some pictures I have taken.

We have been given free gym membership while we are here and I am off to make use of it! The show runs March 23rd and 25th at the Alberta Blair Theater in downtown Billings.

Tuba mirum-Mozart Requiem: June 3, 2006

Fare Thee Well, 2006

As 2006 comes to a close, Nicole and I just wanted to wish everyone a Blessed Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa and a Healthy and Happy New Year.

Nicole and I started 2006 in Hawaii, after spending Christmas with Nicole's family at their home on Oahu. Nicole continued her chorus work with San Francisco Opera and was in productions of "Fidelio" and "Joan of Arc" as well as performances for Mission City Opera of Santa Clara, CA as Mercedes and 2nd Lady in "Carmen" and "The Magic Flute" respectively. Nicole and I were lucky enough to be in two productions together, which was a true pleasure. Nicole performed the roles of A Shining One and Madam Wanton in the West-Coast premiere of Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Pilgrim's Progress" for Trinity Lyric Opera in Walnut Creek, CA. In that production, I performed the roles of Interpreter, Lord Lechery (type-casting!) and Mr. By-Ends as well as making my directorial debut. In early December of this year, we were both in a production of the Christmas opera "Amahl and the Night Visitors" with the Winchester Symphony in San Jose under the baton of conductor and composer Henry Mollicone. Nicole did an amazing job as Amahl's dispirited mother and I performed the role of one of the three wise men, King Kaspar. Thank you to those of you that came to one of the performances! This year I ended my tenure at Opera San Jose with my final two productions there as Rodolfo in "La Boheme" and Don Otttavio in "Don Giovanni". The day after the final performance of "Giovanni", we moved from San Jose, where I had lived for the last 13 years, to our new home in San Francisco's Richmond District. We live in a lovely apartment on 18th Ave. about a block and a half north of Golden Gate Park and walking distance from some amazing restaurants on Geary Blvd. and also on Clement St. We love it here! I also made my debut at West Bay Opera in Palo Alto, CA as Macduff in Verdi's "Macbeth". I then spent the month of November in Manhattan for a productive audition season. I got to see many of my friends and family in the NYC area. It was a lot of fun! I flew from NYC to Denver for Thanksgiving where I met up with Nicole, Nicole's parents Dr. Jerry and Betsy Takesono at Nicole's sister Dr. Jennifer Yu and her husband Shane's home. We had a lot to celebrate, because shortly before Thanksgiving, Jenn gave birth to her first child, little Lina Emiko Yu, or as Nicole likes to call her, Thumbelina Lima Beana.

We were lucky enough to travel to Hawaii in June and July for Nicole's cousin's wedding and had a wonderful time. We also made a really fun trip to Lake Tahoe with my parents Mike and Kathy Flowers, my sister Michelle Azevedo, her husband Dennis and my niece and nephew Emily and Evan. We celebrated our second anniversary at Greens Restaurant at Fort Mason and made a trip in August to Denver to visit Jenn and Shane. All in all, it has been another wonderful year.

We wish you all the blessings of the New Year and a wonderful Christmastime!

Let there be Peace on our troubled Earth,

Adam and Nicole

New York State of Mind: Settling In

The rain is light but steady outside the window here on the 9th floor at Peter Cooper Village at 23rd St. and 1 Ave. here in Manhattan. My auditions are going well and I am enjoying myself here in NYC. I have been able to see family and friends and look forward to seeing more before my time here comes to an end.

At the corner of Broadway and 19th St. I got to meet Russell Simmons, Founder and CEO of Def Jam Records. He was very nice and affable. You are always running into someone in NYC. Last year, I saw Philip Seymour Hoffman walking with his kids in Greenwich Village.

Last night, my dear friend Joe Meyers (another SF resident and singer) went and saw "Tosca" at the Met. Jose Cura was a disappointment and Andrea Gruber was her usual loud self. James Morris, whom I usually don't like, was wonderful as the evil Scarpia. I am glad I only paid 15 bucks.

Well, I send my best wishes and all my love to my family in California, Colorado and Hawaii. Hello Mom, Dad, (Davis, CA) and Mom, Dad (Kaneohe, HI), Michelle, Dennis, Emily and Evan, Jenn and Shane; and most of all, my beautiful wife, Nicole. I miss you so much, my darling.

Evan and Emily on Halloween

I just wanted to share this picture of my nephew Evan (Bob the Builder) and Emily (Minnie Mouse). Aren't they adorable?

New York State of Mind: Arrival

I awoke this morning in San Francisco at 4 AM and my darling wife Nicole was sweet enough to drive me to SFO and then come home before she went to work. I got special treatment in security for the first time, and that made me feel like I was doing my bit in the war on terror. They confiscated my Tide Stain Pen! Arrggghhh!


My flights to Denver and then LaGuardia were uneventful. I arrived at Astor Place (pictured) in Greenwich Village were I am staying for the next couple of days with Nicole's cousin Jocelynn and her husband David. Their dog Oscar and I got to hang out while Jocie and Dave went out to a previous engagement and I enjoyed the newest episode of "Lost" and chilled out. And now, sleep.

Autumn Leaves

My Nephew Evan getting in the spirit of the season

There was a slight problem with my server that is now fixed, so I can update my site again. Make sure to check the updated schedule, resume and bio pages.

September zoomed by. Nicole was the Second Lady in Mission City Opera's Magic Flute in Santa Clara, CA. I started rehearsals for West Bay Opera's production of Verdi's Macbeth in Palo Alto, CA. I got to learn Macduff. I love singing Verdi! We started rehearsals for "The Scottish Play" on September 11 and the show opened on Friday the Thirteenth. Yet and still, it went off without a hitch.

I got to celebrate my Dad's birthday on September 21st, Nicole's on September 26th and my sister Michelle's birthday on October 14th. I also had the good fortune to be able to spend some time with my good friend Ian Sierchio who was in SF for business. We hung at Hyde Street Pier, went hunting for used books and cheap t-shirts on California Street and Ian, Nicole and I had a delicious dinner of Gaspare's Pizza. A good time was had by all.

As a gorgeously sunny October comes to a close here on 18th Ave., I look forward to an exciting audition trip to New York City and the addition of a new niece (thanks to my sister-in-law Jennifer and her husband Shane) in the month of November.

Mile High Weekend

Nicole and I arrived in Denver on Friday night to visit her sister Jennifer and her husband Shane. On Saturday, Jennifer, who is pregnant and due in November, took us to see Red Rocks Amphitheatre. I can say that I made my singing debut at Red Rocks; I sang a couple of phrases of "La Donna E mobile..." from Rigoletto and got a smattering of applause from a large group of people there for a family reunion. Needless to say, I underestimated the incredible acoustics there and didn't expect to be heard throughout the whole amphitheater. Next we went to a delicious lunch in the old mining town of Morrison near Red Rocks. On our way back into Denver proper, we stopped at a cafe called "The Monkey Bean" that we had seen featured on the Food Network and were anxious to try their gourmet coffee. We where saddened upon our arrival to find that The Monkey Bean had just closed do to increased rent and walked into their closing garage sale. We talked to the owner and then went elsewhere to get our coffee fix.
When we arrived back at Jenn and Shane's lovely home in the Washington Park neighborhood, Shane's parents had arrived for their visit from Brooklyn. We all went to a delicious dinner at a great Vietnamese restaurant. We then went home and called it a night.

My Best Day...Two Years Later

Today is the 2nd anniversary of the day I married Nicole. It was the happiest day of my life. I have had many great days since then, but on that day I was able to marry the woman I love so dearly and share it with my friends and family. The ceremony was at Churchill Manor in Napa, CA and it was hot! Luckily, there was plenty of Champagne to cool everyone off. Our family and friends made us feel so special and that feeling has lasted well past the wedding. My niece Emily even took her first steps at the reception! It was a truly magical day that I will never forget. To celebrate our two years together, we ate dinner at Greens at Fort Mason. We ate there the night we were engaged on August 30, 2003. The food was good and we had a spectacular view looking out at the sunset and the Golden Gate Bridge. We both marveled at how our wedding day seemed like it was a month ago, not two years. Nicole looked beautiful as always and I couldn't help but think what a lucky galoot I am.

For those of you reading this that attended the wedding or our second reception on Oahu, thank you for showering us with so much love. It really set us off on the right foot. Every time I think of all of our loved ones gathered together to celebrate our day, it makes me smile. I smile a lot these days.

Paradise Lost and Found Again

On Monday, July 10th, our final full day in Hawaii, Nicole and I went to Kaimana's to soak up some final rays. But first Mom, Nicole and I walked around Diamond Head Crater and pick up some lunch at Diamond Head Market before we hit the beach. After a couple hours at the beach we headed over to Waiola's Shave Ice for one final Shave Ice delight. We headed over to Kuakini Medical Center to say goodbye to Obaachan. While there, we saw Uncle Gordon and said "Aloha". That night we ate dinner with Uncle Ned and Auntie Kamaile at home. Delicious Salmon and of course, we ended the evening with the obligatory glass of scotch.

We woke with the sun and finished up any last minute packing. Mom and Tama accompanied us to Honolulu International and we said our farwells and flew back to California.

TAHOE
We arrived at Oakland International Airport at about 8:45 PM on Tuesday, July 11th. After catching a cab to our friend Marisa's house in Alameda (where we left the Oldsmobile)and then drove straight up to Lake Tahoe. We made it up in good time, and went straight to sleep.
On Wednesday morning we awoke refreshed and said hello to my dad Mike and my niece and nephew Emily and Evan. After my sister and my mother woke up, we had a quick breakfast and then Nicole and I headed to Stateline, NV, and walked the easy Lam Wa Tah meadow trail and chilled out at Sandy Beach. We headed back to the house and had a nice dinner ar Sunnyside Resort near Tahoe City. The view of the sunset from their deck was amazing.
On Thursday morning we woke up and played with the kids before heading out to Tahoe City to the Tahoe City Farmer's Market. The Farmer's Market is located at the Tahoe Commons Beach right across the street from the Cobblestones and Rosie's. We bought some organic lettuce from Grass Valley. Then we headed home and walked over to Meeks Bay and hiked up into Desolation Wilderness. We were checking out the trail conditions for our next day's hike up to Lake Genevieve. We only went on a 6 mile hike as opposed to the next day's hike up to Lake Genevieve that was about 10 miles. That night, Nicole and I made a salad with the greens we bought at the farmers market and some grilled chicken. We hit the hay early to rest up for our Desolation Wilderness hike.

Future Love Paradise

On Sunday Nicole and I sang at Micah and Namie's wedding in the Chapel at Kamehameha Schools. We sang some duets as a prelude and then Nicole sang "The Lord's Prayer" during the ring ceremony. She sang beautifully. The Bride looked beautiful and the Groom looked very happy. Everyone then headed over to the Prince Hotel at Waikiki for the reception. There were about 450 people at the reception! We sat at a table with Nicole's cousin Spencer Wong and his girlfriend Maile, his brother Everett Wong and his fiancee Kamomi, their c
ousin Danny Andrade, Nicole's cousin Keoni Shultz and his wife Sharyl, and Nicole's cousin Mahealani Richardson, who is a news anchor for a local T.V. station KITV 4 here in Honolulu. The food was great and Micah's brother Noah, the Best Man, gave a funny and heart-felt toast. A good time was had by all.

Since the ceremony was held at 9:30 am (?!) we still had half of the day left to us when the reception ended at about 2:30 PM. We headed over to West Oahu with Uncle Ned, Auntie Kamaile, Mom, and Nicole's friend Nalani Oda. Yokohama Beach is at the end of the road out past Waianai in West Oahu. The water was warm and the time at the beach was nice and relaxing. We ended the day at Uncle Ned and Auntie Kamaile's house and had some delicious Korean food with Uncle Ned, Auntie Kamaile, Mom, Nalani, Keoni, Sharyl, Kanekoa, Pohai and their children Kahikina'okala and Hoapili. Uncle Ned showed some pictures from his recent year-long sabatical in Korea. We also looked at some pictures from our France trip last summer. Ah, memories. We ended the evening with a smooth Kentucky Bourbon and headed back home.

Paradise Found...In A Cup

On Saturday morning Nicole and I went to Honolulu. First we went to Ward Center and Nicole got her eyebrows waxed, then we had a delicious lunch at the Kaka'Ako Kitchen. We split the Mochiko Chicken Salad. Needless to say, it was good. Next we headed over to Ala Moana to do some clothes shopping for me. I have lost some weight lately (although I don't feel it with all the eating I have been doing here), so most of my clothes are on the baggy side. We bought some stuff at Gap and Nicole bought some cute shoes at Nine West. We hit Honolulu Coffee Co. and they were brewing the Kona Peaberry. I have to say, Honolulu Coffee Co. may sell the best cup of straight up drip coffee that I have ever bought at a coffee house. I have had better coffee, but it was either at Alan Wong's or it was brewed at home. In my book, that is high praise.
We then headed over to Kuakini Medical Center to visit Obaachan and Uncle Gordon. After saying our goodbyes we headed back to Kane'ohe. After primping, Nicole, Mom and I drove to Kailua to eat at Uncle George and Auntie Elly's house. Their son Gavin and his wife Sheila were there, as was Auntie Elly's sister Auntie Barbara and her Husband Dr. David Tsunehiro, their daughter Dr. Cathy Uyehara and her husband Dr. Keith Uyehara and their children Kylie and Kean, Derek Tsunehiro, and Gavin's friend Rob. We had a grand old time. The food was delicious and the company was excellent. After sitting around drinking coffee, eating dessert and talking story, we headed home and and called it a day.

Paradise, Hawaiian Style

No trip to Hawaii would be complete without a good, old-fashioned teeth cleaning. Nicole and I went and got ours from my father-in-law yesterday. No cavities!

Later in the afternoon we headed back to Kamehameha Schools for a musical rehearsal for Micah and Nami's wedding.

The Bishop Memorial Chapel on the campus is one of the most beautiful churches I have ever been in. The floor, pews, ceilings, EVERYTHING is made out of the most beautiful koa wood. The huge pipe organ is totally encased in koa. The acoustics are a dream. Built in 1988 on the original 600-acre hillside Kapalama campus, the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Memorial Chapel is available for wedding ceremonies for alumni, trustees, faculty, staff and immediate families of all the above categories. The beautiful koa-constructed chapel accommodates 482 people. The rehearsal went well and then we headed back to Kaneohe to attend Nicole's Uncle George and Auntie Elly's surprise birthday party at the Bayview Golf Club. Uncle George's and Auntie Elly's birthdays are one year and two days apart. Nicole's cousin Gavin Hewitt and his wife Sheila made a surprise appearance. After the party ended, we went back home and hit the hay.

Cheeseburgers in Paradise

It hit me all at once this evening how unpredictable, wonderful, and interesting life can be. I was sitting on a deck over looking Pearl Harbor in view of the Arizona Memorial (well, I knew it was there, but it wasn't visible from my vantage point at night ) looking at the lights of a Honolulu evening with a glass of 15 year-old single Malt Scotch, sitting next to a gorgeous woman on an island about as far away from any other land mass as you can get on Earth. How about that? Not bad for a NorCal boy from Davis.

The day began with a beautiful sunrise and a relaxing morning of reading. Nicole and I vocalized and then Mom, Nicole and I drove into Honolulu. We had a delicious lunch at Mariposa at Nieman Marcus. I had a wonderful lobster club sandwich. Mariposa is famous for their delicious pop-overs and wonderful chicken consume. While at Mariposa, we ran into the Takesono's friend Lorna Mount. Lorna and her husband John are both very talented singers and are patients of Dr. T's. They are frequent performers with Honolulu Symphony and Hawaii Opera Theater.
We did some shopping at Ala Moana and I had a great cup of coffee at Honolulu Coffee Co. They brew 100% Kona for their regular brewed coffee and it was delicious. We headed back over the Pali and got ready for Unlce Ned's birthday/Kanekoa and his wife Pohai's 4th anniversary party at Uncle Ned and Auntie Kamaile's house in A'iea. Auntie Kamaile made a delicious Prime Rib and we all enjoyed Nicole's chocolate cake. The evening ended with the requisite glass of Laphroaig 15-year Single Malt and my beautiful bride in my arms. All is right with the world.

Strangers In Paradise

Wednesday greeted us with a beautiful sunrise. Nicole and I woke up and vocalized and worked on music. I made a trip to the store to pick up some more cooking supplies for a cake that Nicole is baking for Uncle Ned's birthday. While there, I walked over to the Starbucks. Now, I know what you all are thinking, "Adam, at STARBUCKS?" I go there for one very specific drink, and it is one that Starbucks doesn't have on the mainland, not to mention that there are no Peets' or good independent roasteries in the immediate vicinity of the supermarket. The drink I get is a Thai esspresso Latte, and it is basically a latte with a little condensed milk, which helps to mask Starbucks burnt espresso beans. Anyway, shortly after I made it back, we headed over the Pali to the Hilton Resort to pick up my good friend Ian's fiancee Lisa and her friend Karen. Lisa had scheduled this little vacation before Ian proposed to her, but since they are planning on getting married here on Oahu, it has morphed into a fact-finding mission. We took them back over to the Windward side of the island and showed them a potential wedding site, the Aloha Ke Akua Fishpond just a short drive (or walk) from the Takesono's house. It features a cute chapel and a view of "Chinaman's Hat" or "Mokilii" (the Little Lizard).
Lisa loved the site and decided it would be the perfect place to get married. We picked up some Vietnamese sandwiches at Ba Le in Kaneohe and headed back over to the Leeward side of the island. After dropping of Karen back at the hotel, we took Lisa over to check out the Hau Tree Lanai at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel. We then dropped off Lisa for her pedicure appointment and we drove back over to Kamaina's, parked the car and walked the 3 plus miles around the base of Diamond Head Crater. That took us about an hour, and then we plunged strait into the water at Kaimana's. After soaking up some rays, we went back to Lisa and Karen's hotel room and got ready for dinner at The Willows. After a nice dinner we dropped the ladies off at their hotel and said our goodbyes. Nicole and I headed over the Pali and it was off to bed.

Patriotic Paradise

July Fourth began with frantic work in the kitchen. Nicole was finishing up her numerous pies and Mom was finishing up her baked beans. I made some linguisa and scrambled eggs with pesto and parmegiano. Mom also made amazing pop-overs and we slathered them with some left over lemon curd from Nicole's Lemon-Raspberry tart. It was a great breakfast.
Nicole and I then kayaked out to the Sand Bar about a mile out into the middle of Kaneohe Bay. It took a while to get out there due to some intense chop, but the two-man sea kayak served us well. When we finally made it out to the sand bar, we happened to run into Nicole's family friends Dr. Dave and Karin Brown along with some friends of theirs in their sailboat, the Ho'onanea. They welcomed us aboard and we ate some sandwiches and drank some beer. A good time was had by all.

After saying our goodbyes we headed back, much faster this time as we were aided by the wind and tide. We gathered up the pies and beans and headed over to Uncle Ned and Aunty Kamaile folk's house in A'eia for the annual July 4th celebration. The Shultz's back deck offers a view of 4 major fireworks celebrations: Magic Island, Pearl Harbor, Ala Moana and Hickam AFB. It was a sight to behold. I also got to sing "John Brown's Body", "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", "It's A Long Way to Tipperary" and other patriotic (?) songs with noted silver throat and crooner extraordinaire, Uncle Dan Boylan. Nicole's cousin Kanekoa Shultz was the grillmaster and his burgers and sausages were delicious. The pies were a hit, and we all basked in the glow of family, fireworks and fellowship. A good time was had by all.

O, Paradis!

3 July 2006
Nicole and I feel much better this morning. Last night we ate dinner at Roy's in Hawaii Kai. We went Waimanolo way, instead of going on the Pali, which took us by a sacred spot on the island. This spot of which I speak is of course the Robin's Nest, or the so called Robin Master's Estate from Television's Magnum P.I. Anyway, dinner at Roy's was delicious, despite the fact that we are recovering from our quick stomach illness. We started off with a delicious Spanish Sparkling White and a wonderful Waimanalo Micro Greens salad. I had an amazing pan seared Ahi and we shared a delicious "Strawberry Shortcake Deconstructed". It was a wonderful end to the day.

Nicole and I began today grateful for regular and healthy bodily functions, in light of our succinct bout with Mr. Montezuma and his infamous and unfortunate need for revenge. We both did our requisite vocal warm-ups and worked on some arias and our selections for Micah and Nami's wedding on Sunday. Next it was off to Kamehameha Schools in Kalihi for a rehearsal with the organist for the wedding. For those of you that aren't familiar with Kamehameha Schools, it was founded by Bernice Pauahi Bishop in the latter half of the 19th Century to serve the educational needs of the islands' indigenous population. The campus is perched on an overlook with amazing vistas from Diamond Head to Ewa Beach. We met Nami at Uncle Bruce and Auntie Charmain's house on the Kamehameha campus (Auntie Charmain works for the school) and got to say hello to Noah, the new High School grad. Nami took us up to the Music Building to meet the accompanist. Unfortunately, the accompanist had an emergency on the other side of the island, so there was no rehearsal. It was, however, a good excuse to visit with the impending bride and talk with Auntie Charmain and Noah.

Then it was back to Ala Moana to pick up a tart pan at William Sonoma. You see, this is the exciting lifestyle that constantly surrounds us as Opera singers. After that, we headed over to Kaimana's, our favorite beach. It is technically part of Waikiki, but beause it is on the Diamond Head side of the old War Memorial Natatorium (incidentally, the very same swimming pool where Duke Kahanamoku came to prominence as a world-class swimmer), it is mostly a local hang out. We soaked up some sun and read our books. Nicole is reading a historical novel about Catherine of Aragon and I am reading Paris: The Biography of a City by Colin Jones. They just torched Joan of Arc!

After our sun-soaking session, we headed to one of our favorite spots on the whole island, Waiola Shave Ice on Kapahulu St. Waiola Shave Ice, in my opinion, is far superior to any I have ever had, including the more famous Matsumoto's on the North Shore. Their ice is so fine and their syrups and flavorings are delicious. This is NOT your mainland "snow cone" with its coarse ice chunks and fructose-laden generic flavorings. I hade a large with vanilla ice cream and azuki beans on the bottom and Mango and Lychee syrup with Sweet Li Hing Mui sauce on the top. DELICIOUS!

Our next item on the agenda was a trip back over the Pali and a short stop at Safeway to get some molasses for some molasses ginger cookies that Nicole was making for our dinner at Uncle Johnny and Auntie Paula Wong's house in Kailua. Nicole has been very busy baking for that and for our big 4th of July blow out at Uncle Ned and Auntie Kamaile's house in A'eia tomorrow. She has made two apple pies, a lemon-raspberry tart and a delicious looking and smelling blueberry pie. She is an amazing baker!
Uncle Johnny and Auntie Paula are such wonderful people. Nicole and I had our Hawaii wedding reception in their back yard in 2004. Aunty Paula prepared a delicious Chinese chicken salad (Chinese chicken salad is one of my favorites, and her's is the best I have ever had), Uncle Johnny prepared an amazing beef tomato and a mouth-watering baked uhu, a delicious, buttery fish that was garnished with ginger, onions and various yummies. Dessert was Nicole's molasses ginger cookies and some San Franciso's own Bud's Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream. It was a great way to finish the meal. Then, Uncle Johnny brought out a trio of Scotches to sample as an aperitif. MacCallan 12 year single malt, Laphroaig 15 year single malt and a deliciously smoky 16 year single malt Islay scotch of which the name escapes me. It was a delightful evening.

Trouble in Paradise

Nicole and I arrived in Hawaii to find amazing weather awaiting us. We got in at about 8 PM (11 PM Pacific Time), so my mother-in-law Betsy drove us home to Kaneohe. We stayed up up awhile talking to Mom and Dad (Betsy and Jerry) and playing with the Takesono's Pomeranian, Tama, then we called it a night.

Friday was another gorgeous day (of course) and we headed to Kaneohe for our traditional provisioning trip to Longs that we make at the begining of any stay here. For those of you that are not familiar with Hawaii, I should say that the Longs Drugstores here on the islands have a much greater selection than the ones on the mainland. It is a veritable cornucopia of delights. We then headed up (and then back down) the Pali Highway and into Honolulu. We stopped at Ala Moana Shopping Center because I had to pick up some new board shorts. Even though I just purchased a new pair of board shorts for Christmas, I had to get new ones because I have lost some weight and didn't want to give the tourists at the beach a free show. After Ala Moana, we headed over to Rainbow Drive-In and picked up a Mixed Plate Lunch for Nicole and I to share. We then headed back over to Ala Moana Beach Park and met up with our friend Mindy Yamamoto. We lazed on the beach for a couple of hours and then Nicole and I headed over to visit Obaachan, Nicole's grandmother at the Kuakini Medical Center where she is being cared for. While we were there, we also saw Nicole's uncles Clifford and Gordon. After saying our farewells, we headed back to Kaneohe and showered. We then picked up Mom and Dad at the office and headed back over the Pali to Diamond Head. We swung by the Diamond Head Market for some dinner to go (the Diamond Head Market is wonderful!) and went to Diamond Head and sat on the sea wall and ate dinner. It was a wonderful way to end the day.

On Saturday we woke with the sun and had some great coffee and croissant. At 10 AM I had a great massage with Marcie and came home. At this point, I started feeling a little off. Long story short, I got sick. It seems to have been a 12 hour thing, because it is about 9 AM on Sunday and other than feeling a little weak, I feel so much better. Nicole got it too, but didn't seem to get it as badly as I did.

Sunday, July 2,3:30 PM: We just got back from Ka'a'awa Beach. We both feel much better our appetites have come back with a vengance. We are going to Roy's for dinner tonight in Hawai'i Kai. We hope our stomachs can take it!

Return to Paradise

This is the view of the sunrise from my in-law's deck over looking beautiful Kane'ohe Bay on Oahu. We are leaving for the islands tomorrow afternoon and I can't wait to see my second home again. I love Hawai'i! Nicole and I will be singing for her cousin Micah's wedding in the Chapel at Kamehameha School. We will also be showing my dear friend Ian's fiancee potential wedding spots on the Windward side for their wedding next summer.
Okole maluna!

A beautiful San Francisco Day with Dad

It was a wonderful, beautiful day in San Francisco this past Wednesday. The sun was out all day and it was in the mid 70's. My dad, Mike Flowers, came down for the day and he picked me up from my haircut in Cole Valley at Vierra and Friends and we headed down to Taylor's Automatic Refresher at the Ferry Building. If you haven't been yet, you have to check it out. The Original Taylor's is up in Napa, but this one has an even wider selection than the original. The line was long, but it was worth the wait. I had an amazing burger with a delicious white pistachio milkshake. The highlight, however, was the sweet potato fries. They were SO GOOD!

After browsing at Book Passage (the original Book Passage in Corte Madera is one of my all-time favorite bookstores) we ventured over to the Hyde Street Pier and explored the Ferry Boat Eureka that is moored there. It was pretty impressive to walk the decks of the largest wooden ferry boat afloat and to think that it played such an integral part in so many peoples daily lives in the era before the Golden Gate and SF/Oakland Bay Bridges. On board they also had some vintage cars in the holding bay (including a 1926 Nash sedan). After our our tour of the Eureka, we ventured over to Crissy Field and perused the book selection at the Warming Hut. The weather was perfect and the Golden Gate Bridge was untouched by fog. We then drove through the Presidio and past the Cliff House down the Great Highway. Finally, we finished our afternoon in one of my favorite places, Henry's House of Coffee on Noriega @ 23rd. We enjoyed the delicious Costa Rican Coffee that Henry had brewed that day and let the amazing smell of roasting coffee waft over us. I can't think of too many things better than ending a great day with a cup the best coffee in the City with one of my best friends-my Dad.

An Open Letter to the Cast and Crew of Trinity Lyric Opera's "The Pilgrim's Progress"

Dear Friends,
I just wanted to thank you all so much for making my experience in "The Pilgrim's Progress" such an enjoyable and fulfilling one. I could not have asked for a better group of people to work with.
When I first agreed to direct and perform three small roles in this show, I thought Alan was crazy for thinking I could do it and that I was crazy for agreeing. But all along the way, something would remind me that it wasn't so crazy after all. When I found out who comprized the cast of principals, I knew at the very least we would have good voices singing beautiful music, even if the direction was lousy. Next, I saw Patrick Kroboth's design concept and thought, darn it, that looks pretty fantastic! Then, I got to meet the production team. Dannie Gober was able to make anything work (and look good), Larry was the man with the plan (and the stop watch), Jimmy Lee could solve any problem, Pat Brandon could build ANYTHING and Pam Grey made it all look so amazing. Then, I kept hearing raves about the chorus and orchestra. With John Kendall Bailey's adept and sensitive musical leadership, things just kept getting better and better. As I met all of you, I knew that all I had to do was sit back and let you all do your thing. I am so honored to have been a part of such a talented and collegial group. Many of you are friends of mine already, but those of you that I just met on this production feel like fast friends. Your skills and talents made this production something of which I am proud to say I was a part.

Lastly, I would like to thank two people. You all are so talented, but two people really held all of this together. The first is Jason Detwiler. Jason, you let us join you on your own pilgrimage. Your performance was dedicated, clearly wrought and thrillingly inspired. Your scene in the prison was the highlight of the show.
Alan. You had a vision that many of us could not quite see as clearly as you could. But with your determination, hard work and faith in us and the work, you made us all believe. You should be very proud of your achievement.

Our pilgrimage is at an end. Where to next, guys?

With much love and gratitude,

Adam Flowers

The End of the Pilgrimage

Nicole and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in "Pilgrim's Progress". Here we are two of our collective five characters. This is from Act III, scene i, the Vanity Fair scene. I am Lord Lechery and Nicole is Madame Wanton. The show was a joy and I am a little bummed that it is over. Now it is on to "Macbeth"!

On the Pilgrimage

We just opened "The Pilgrim's Progress" last night, and I must say, I am very pleased. It is a technically challenging show, and despite the microscopic crew (Jimmy Lee and Larry have been working their a@*es off)it went off without a hitch. We have two more shows, tonight and Sunday and then, the pilgrimage will be at an end.