Jeff was very proud of Nina on Friday night, and was excited to return to see the show again on Sunday. At 1:25pm, five minutes before Sunday's curtain, Jeff had just taken his seat in the audience, and texted Nina info on where he was sitting. Jeff happens to be the hornist for the world famous ensemble Canadian Brass. After being recognized by one of the orchestra's hornists, he was approached by orchestra management. The NYCO horn section was one horn player short for the 1:30 performance! They asked if Jeff would step in and play the show. By 1:27 he was backstage where he ran into Nina. Understandably alarmed, she asked him if everything was ok. He fearlessly smiled, and said, "Oh yeah! I'm just going sit in! Have a good show!" A half-laughing half-shocked Nina yelled back, "Ummmm, okay...you too!!"
Jeff headed downstairs where the orchestra manager tied a tie around Jeff's neck, handed him an extra horn, threw him in the pit, and closed the door. Within a minute, Jeff was tuning with the orchestra. Jeff and Nina performed Sunday afternoon's entire Madame Butterfly performance together.
It was a weekend of a lifetime for this musical couple. Nina made her NYCO debut on Friday, and Jeff made his on Sunday...a story they can tell their grandchildren one day!
