Getting on like a house on fire

Mark Freiman

To the editor:

This past Wednesday, the New York City Opera National Company performed “The Barber of Seville” at Stephens Auditorium.

My fellow singers, and orchestra members and I stayed at the Ramada Inn that night before our trip to Lincoln, Neb., for a performance the next evening. Around 4:00 a.m., a fire broke out at the motel. We believe that volunteer fire fighters were the first on the scene.

A fire fighter stood banging at my window until he saw that I was awake. We all got out safely without any panic. The emergency personnel were extremely efficient and courteous; they were very helpful in eventually letting us back inside to get our belongings.

We ended up leaving for Lincoln a lot earlier than planned, but we are thankful that we made it in one piece and with all our belongings intact. Here’s a big thank you to the people of Ames for making us feel so welcome at the theater, and for coming to our aid in an emergency!

Mark Freiman

Singer

New York City Opera National

Company