Most people don't really know what goes on during a rehearsal period for an opera. I've written in the past about a typical day, but I thought I'd write a bit more about the process. The singers, director and conductor usually arrive in the host city one day before rehearsals begin. If it's your home town, then you're in luck! No planes, trains and/or automobiles not to mention jet lag. Depending on the company the first rehearsal involves sing through the opera, or a sing in. In each singer's contract it is stipulated that they must sing full voice during this rehearsal (anywhere from 3-6 hrs). They must also know the music by memory. If they do not sing full voice or do not know the music, then they are back on the plane. That's it, no second chances. Forget a pay cheque.
The sing in is one of the more stressful days. You've arrived the night before and are probably exhausted and you must sing through the opera in front of a full cast of people who you probably have never met(never mind the director of the company, conductor and other vips). This sing in is their first impression of you.
The good part is that everyone else is in the same operatic boat (sea-doo?).
After the sing in, it's on to staging the opera. This is done in order unless the director decides otherwise or unless there is a singer that is missing a rehearsal for whatever reason.
That's when the fun begins!
If you are interested in learning more about what happens behind the scenes and also hearing from the performers, you may want to download the Lyric Opera of Chicago Podcasts from iTunes. It's free!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/lyric-opera-chicago-podcasts/id264656099?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Showing posts with label rehearsal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rehearsal. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Tech week
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!
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