I’ve often been fascinated by and admired ordinary people who train their bodies and minds to survive the extraordinary demands of a marathon. So when Washington National Opera offered me the opportunity to lead their 2025 production of Francesca Zambello’s Porgy and Bess, culminating in eight days of unmitigated endurance conducting, I was excited to sign on!

I’ve often been fascinated by and admired ordinary people who train their bodies and minds to survive the extraordinary demands of a marathon. So when Washington National Opera offered me the opportunity to lead their 2025 production of Francesca Zambello’s Porgy and Bess, culminating in eight days of unmitigated endurance conducting, I was excited to sign on!