rehearsals

Un peu de succès

Tonight’s rehearsal, while not without it’s flaws, was an exciting one! There were invited guests who, in this particular rehearsal space, looked down upon us from the balcony, not unlike the trial chamber in All Good Things…. Except, they weren’t jeering us. I found myself wondering who they might be, how they came to be invited and what they thought of the run-through. They even applauded as desired.

I received kind compliments this evening from several of the principals. Two important individuals, including André Barbe, even took time to tell me that my detail-oriented violin “playing” is much appreciated by the director. I guess all that cereal box- and ballpoint pen-work is paying off! The trill and the tremolo I’ve got down, but there is still work to be done on the vibrato and the fingering.

Only one large stop interrupted the flow of all five acts and I’m sure that mistake will not happen again. … Read more »

I Feel Nerdy

To assist with my memorization of “I Feel Pretty” from Bernstein’s/Sondheim’s West Side Story, I’ve taken to diagramming the song. I tend to be a visual learner. So, when in doubt, make a table:

Please accept my gratitude, Dr. Antokoletz, for it is thanks to you that I have a deep appreciation of structural analysis and its application in music performance, even if the music isn’t always Bartók.

Hodgepodge

My first look inside

Today’s Boston Lyric Opera rehearsal was so fun! I arrived not knowing what to expect and rather nervous. I didn’t know:

what the space would be like
who would be there
how many people would be present
what the working process would entail
what the general attitude might be
if I was dressed appropriately (I opted for business casual with jeans in a bag just in case.)

Michèle Losier, playing Nicklausse, was most friendly and introduced herself straightaway, as did rehearsal pianist Damien. Things got underway right on time and Matthew DiBattista, playing Offenbach (among others), hit the nail on the head regarding director Renaud Doucet saying to me, “this [staging] will be quick.” And it was. Efficiency is just as I like it. The director is personable, friendly, knowledgeable and knows precisely what he wants of his talent. He doesn’t waste time or mince words and he does it all with witty flair–and great glasses.

What was even more … Read more »

Un peu de succès

I Feel Nerdy

Hodgepodge

My first look inside

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