When I was at school for one week at Easter, we used to spend four days on a performance workshop at Stagecoach theatre arts school. In just four days we memorised lines, song and dance routines, learned how to get along with lots of new children. The team of Directors; Sue, Jo, Zoe and Jan worked hard together with us all to create a final show. It was absolutely brilliant. It was also fantastic training for my memory, a great introduction to stage craft and allowed me to quickly learn dance routines. We put on abridged versions of The Wizard of Oz, Oliver and Mary Poppins to name just three.
I thought of this on Saturday when I was called by the Director of the RCS Opera Project to ask to stand in to perform the part of ‘The First Witch’ in the Henry Purcell opera ‘Dido and Aeneas’ as the girl playing the role had an unfortunate accident. The RCS Opera Project performances are from the 4th March to 7th March, next week! My first thought was I’ve got an essay due in this week that I just have to finish! Then I thought, what a great opportunity go for it. I immediately set about learning the words and music to try to get it off score by the weekend 😊. Then into rehearsal whilst completing as many of my usual classes as physically possible. Today I’ve been there from 10am to 9pm with a couple of breaks to eat which also reminded me of long days of rehearsals at school when the musical theatre productions were under final rehearsal, I absolutely love it.
There are two operas in the Event – Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and Poulenc’s Les Mamelles de Tiresias fusing Baroque and 20th century repertoire.
Tickets are just £13.50 from the box office, two shows for the price of one.
You can see a great pictorial synopsis of Dido and Aeneas on the Classic FM website, it really helps to visualise the story.
So if you have any positive energy to spare send it my way ready for the performances 😀. To sign off I just want to say a big thank you to my Dad for sorting out the pictures for me tonight. Anyway I am off to get some rest now ready for tomorrow zzz.
Charlotte you are a fabulous personne ! Thanks for your light and your kindness A big piece of energetics smiles for you, take care too !
All the very best for you !!
Had a nice leisurely rest this morning 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Fantastic opportunity! Break the operatic equivalent of a leg.
Thanks Martin it’s been a fabulous week, exhausting but very exhilarating.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I like the attitude! Give it go! Even if the hours are long.
So here is to a great performance!
P.S.
I am impressed that someone donated their dog to play Toto. The canine star seems unfazed by the goings on associated with theatre. That is star quality!
It was Jo,our fabulous drama teacher’s dog, he was so well behaved. Cute dogs do take the limelight though 😄.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Reblogged this on Mutual Cultures and commented:
Somewhat tangentially to the point of the post — which we “like-ed” — MC likes to see that a young woman accepts her Dad to “help her sort through the pictures” for her blog post! IMAGINE 🙂
Thank you for the reblog, that’s my motto never refuse help, if anybody’s up for a bit of ironing…. 😄
Best wishes
Charlotte
sincerest apologies for delay in replying; great to hear from you; success with blogging, and, more importantly, JOY
What a wonderful experience, and you are a real theatre trouper to take on such roles so quickly. Applause!
Thank you I just find it all very exciting and challenging, I like to work to deadlines.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I’m sure you’ll be fabulous as always. Have fun! 🙂
Thanks for your faith Stephanie, I will remember to have fun next week 😛.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Opportunities like this will come your way from time to time and I’m sure you will do well.
Thanks Rod, I’m very grateful for your confidence in me, it’s a boost.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a great opportunity! I don’t know the opera well, but I do know, and love, Dido’s lament, “When I am Laid in Earth”, from it. If I remember it is in a passacaglia form. Good luck! And have fun.
I have sung Dido’s lament before in festivals but I didn’t know the First Witch rep. It has been challenging, first night is next Wednesday 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I just had a dinner and I have a good chunk of energy to spare. It is on the way to you 🙂
I’ve just soaked it up 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a wonderful opportunity! I love Dido and Aeneas but haven’t listened to it in a long time. You’ve inspired me to seek it out again.
Wonderful, Joyce DiDonato performed Dido’s lament recently a lovely recording.
Best wishes
Charlotte
The word “Memory” strikes a chord in my heart. It’s a song that I most love.
I performed a section of it once in a show it was shared out between three of us, I loved to sing it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I remember all your performances you always put 100% in to all your parts and I know you will do the same with this one, well done xxx
Cheers Gill shame you’re not a bit closer, looking forward to seeing you up here in April though 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Best of luck, Charlotte! I’m sure your performance will go off splendidly!
Best wishes,
Cate
Thanks Cate, as tempting as it is to practise today I’m having a day of vocal rest and some fresh air later.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Go for it Charlotte, I’m sure you’ll be brilliant !! If we don’t manage to get there (we haven’t given up all hope but things here are just hectic) we’ll be with you in Spirit !!
Ahhh thanks Denis, my love to Helen too. I wish I could see you and the boys with Russell Watson too, give everyone my love 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
OMG I think you were asking me about costumes somewhere and I forgot about it. I will try to find the comment to see what you were asking! Sorry!
It was on your post with the red hair and red shawl fabulous photos by the way.
All the best
Charlotte 😊
All my positive energy has been sent your way.
I’m seriously soaking it up right now and recharging.
Best wishes
Charlotte
How exciting! Best of luck with the rehearsals and performances.
Thanks Clare I’m storing up the luck 🍀 for next week.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I’m almost as excited as you!
😆 it’s a shame you’re not a bit closer I’m singing my folk songs tomorrow in the interval of the opera competition, I’d love you to see them live and I’ve been working on the new duet with Jess you’d love it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Absolutely the right decision! Your career is singing, and that’s where you need the experience. (I can even say that as a musicologist who has thought some of those classes that required those essays.) You should cherish the opportunity for a real education in music, because it will make you a more insightful performer, but you also know what the priorities are.
Thank you Peter I do value my musicology classes and try never to miss a lesson, I do realise the value of them in making sure I’m a fully rounded artist, these next essays are about teaching others I’ve done the research but getting my thoughts and ideas down in the right structure always takes me ages.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Oops “taught some of those classes,” of course. But it is true that I thought more classes than I taught. 😉
😊 so much work gets put in to teaching others and structuring interesting lessons to the different ages and capabilities we get very good support here at the RCS.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Have a great time, Charlotte, and enjoy this fabulous opportunity. Hope all goes well for you.
Thank you I hope so too.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a great opportunity ~ and great photos as well. Break-a-leg my lady ~
Thanks Randall 😀.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Reblogged this on Larger than Life Sightseeing and commented:
What an amazing Dorothy. You look so much like her in a very special way! Stellar idea and performance.
I’ve heard it said, “…if it’s not Baroque, don’t fix it.” 🙂
😄😄 I’m going to use that and pretend I made it up 😄
Best wishes
Charlotte