Ah, Tech week!
Tech week is probably the most stressful time for a singer (or a director or a conductor etc.). This is the first time that the production moves from the rehearsal space to the theatre. Typically during an opera run, we spend 2-3 weeks in a rehearsal hall that bears no resemblance to the actual stage that we perform on.
Monday night is tech rehearsal and the first night that we get to see the set. It is here that we find out that some things don't work so well in the hall. We practice entrances, spacing and anything that involves technical aspects (opening doors, entering from trap doors, climbing/descending stairs). Some of these may be very simple and others are quite complex. It's almost always stressful due to the lack of time that we have to get accustomed to the sets and the (usually) much larger space we have to work on.
Tuesday is music night! It's here where we wander the stage and concentrate on getting it together with the conductor and orchestra(the term is wandelprobe, which means wandering rehearsal). This rehearsal is strictly for music. It's the first time we get to sing with the orchestra (up until then the rehearsals are with piano).
Wednesday night is piano dress rehearsal typically, although this may vary from theatre to theatre. We are fully costumed and made up (make up, wigs if necessary). We run the show from the top but without the orchestra.
Thursday is dress rehearsal, with an audience typically (students, or various invitees). This is the real deal, with costumes, orchestra and no stopping (in theory).
Friday is off and then it's showtime on Saturday.
More to come about the latest opera that I am in!
Tech week is probably the most stressful time for a singer (or a director or a conductor etc.). This is the first time that the production moves from the rehearsal space to the theatre. Typically during an opera run, we spend 2-3 weeks in a rehearsal hall that bears no resemblance to the actual stage that we perform on.
Monday night is tech rehearsal and the first night that we get to see the set. It is here that we find out that some things don't work so well in the hall. We practice entrances, spacing and anything that involves technical aspects (opening doors, entering from trap doors, climbing/descending stairs). Some of these may be very simple and others are quite complex. It's almost always stressful due to the lack of time that we have to get accustomed to the sets and the (usually) much larger space we have to work on.
Tuesday is music night! It's here where we wander the stage and concentrate on getting it together with the conductor and orchestra(the term is wandelprobe, which means wandering rehearsal). This rehearsal is strictly for music. It's the first time we get to sing with the orchestra (up until then the rehearsals are with piano).
Wednesday night is piano dress rehearsal typically, although this may vary from theatre to theatre. We are fully costumed and made up (make up, wigs if necessary). We run the show from the top but without the orchestra.
Thursday is dress rehearsal, with an audience typically (students, or various invitees). This is the real deal, with costumes, orchestra and no stopping (in theory).
Friday is off and then it's showtime on Saturday.
More to come about the latest opera that I am in!
