"We felt honoured to be doing this series of Sinfonias with the New York Philharmonic, as it was exactly 40 years ago that Sinfonia was premiered by the New York Philharmonic and the Swingle Singers. We are not the Swingle Singers, of course, but most of our team were in the group at one time or another and, between us, have been performing Sinfonia for over 120 years - so we did feel a certain entitlement to the gig!

We'd had a singers' rehearsal provisionally scheduled for our first day in New York, but Lorin Maazel cancelled it when he learned that we'd performed the piece so many times before. Although we were delighted to have the free time, with hindsight, that meeting would have been extremely useful. Anyway, our first day in New York was a free one and we couldn't have asked for lovelier weather. It was extremely cold but bright and sunny - the ideal New York January day. Brooklyn Bridge or Central Park were the obvious choices, and we all headed out to enjoy the sunshine.

Micaela & Mandy on Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge

The Two Tenors

Central Park

The first rehearsal for Sinfonia always gives cause for concern as there are so many factors involved in the success of the piece. Fortunately, we were in Avery Fisher at the Lincoln Center which has a big stage for the huge orchestra, so there was no problem about space. In addition, we were very lucky to have the marvellous Lou Mannarino (who gets the Sinfonia sound prize of recent years) on the sound desk. He did a great job and was so helpful at all times. The orchestra too was a delight to work with. Mandy and I were in the viola section and had great fun chatting to the players, who couldn't have been more friendly and welcoming - really good players too.

Avery Fisher, Lincoln Center

Lorin Maazel wasn't exactly the most approachable conductor we've ever worked with, and I'm still puzzled by the fact that he refused to be called by his own name at the point where Berio specifically writes "thank you Mr.* (* full name of conductor)". Gerry was told, in no uncertain terms, to call him "Maestro"! Still, we continue to love the piece, and hope some day we'll get to perform it again with the New York Phil."

Micaela