The Thrills and Spills of an Opera Rehearsal

Sorry for the delay. I haven’t been near a computer for a bit. Regardless, I carry on. Anyone who has any experience in musical performance knows that it’s not a simple task. There is lots of preparation to do and many hours are spent rehearsing, making sets, and choreographing dances. However, it doesn’t seem as meticulous as I am describing. In this entry, I would like to describe a typical rehearsal at the Westminster Youth Opera Workshop.

Last week, we moved from a classroom in Westminster’s Talbott Hall to the Yvonne Theater at Rider University, where we will perform. Performers use the stage for practicing while rooms backstage are used for making props and costumes. Students actively participate in the props and costumes, as proven by some of them congregating for warm-ups with hands covered in paint. After warm-up it’s time to go on stage. At first the chorus isn’t so together. Talking children have to be shushed, people need to be arranged in their proper place. But on the cue of the conductor, this pleasant chaos is changed into a series of ethereal voices. So begins a good rehearsal.

Here comes a very fun part of practice: Ms. Sinclair, the director, will teach our some choreography for  one of the musical numbers. In this number, the Imperial messenger Phydipides must go and deliver some important messages, despite being exhausted to the point of death. The chorus encourages Phydipides by performing a little dance. The normally sedate composer and substitute conductor Michael Jacobsen tickled a few funny bones by joining in the dance.

Well, that’s all I have for now. But I’ll keep my ears and eyes open for any more behind-the-scenes and anecdotes.

See Ya.