The show felt like it was really coming together, as we started threading together the scenes chronologically with the full cast of Arcadian Opera’s “The Magic Flute”. Often in theatre and film, directors will direct the action out of sequence to reflect which characters are called and their availability. For example, on one rehearsal day I was called for an afternoon session with Matt Clark, who is playing the role of Monostatos, together we worked through scenes from Act One and Two that involved both of us.
When rehearsing non-consecutive scenes, I find that it can be a little tricky to emotionally capture where your character is within their greater journey. In order to combat this, I create a timeline for my character. I will start by thinking about what has immediately happened to my character before the opera begins. In Pamina’s case, I wanted to consider how she was captured, the motivations of her captors, how she is treated by them as this will inform her emotions and reasons for her actions. I will then split a piece of paper in half by drawing a long vertical line, which will become a detailed timeline. One side for Pamina’s journey on stage (what the audience see), the other half I will write: what other characters say about her and key moments that happen as story develops on stage, whilst my character is not there, but may affect her future actions. This technique helps me to better understand her place in the greater drama as well as find intricate details that add flesh to the bones of her character.
This week ended with a full company run of the show. Often these are called stagger runs. These types of rehearsals mean that you run the show in chronological order with the full cast, but if the director needs to pause the action to attend to a detail or minor change they can. I particularly enjoyed watching the show coming together and I am excited by the wonderful voices that I am able to sing alongside. It will be a fantastic event.
Today, I am taking part in the Sitzprobe. This type of rehearsal is held by the music director (conductor) and the full cast is joined by the orchestra for the first time. The atmosphere is often electric and I adore the sensation of singing with an Orchestra – it feels like a young bird soaring for the very first time aided by the energy of a friendly gust of wind, climbing and gliding effortlessly whilst enjoying the moment.
Our two performances are this coming week, next Saturday 23rd October at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday 24th October at 2:30 p.m. Both performances will take place at the Roxburgh Hall Theatre in Stowe and for those of you who can join us tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE:
A big thank you to Poppy, Sofia, and Lydia who perform the roles of the Three Spirits and took the pictures for me during the rehearsals 🙂
Kudos to Poppy, Sofia, and Lydia for their great photos. They captured the spirit very well. I wish you all wonderful success on your performances.
Thank you, Timothy. I liked what you did there! It just gives a taste of what I’ve been up to for 3 weeks. Nearly Saturday and opening night.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wow! Sounds very exciting. I love the magic flute🥰🥰😘👏👏👏
You’d love this show Gill, our Queen of the Night is fabulous and experienced in the role, in fact, the whole cast is sounding so good I wish you could all see it. I’m excited for Saturday and opening night; Mum and Dad are coming down.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte, congratulations on getting another headliner part, as surely your reputation precedes you. You seem really confident in the process and people, so I only imagine this will be a doubly magical production.
Thank you very much. Not many roles are being advertised for an audition right now for next year so keep your fingers crossed that it changes. It is a magical production I wish you could see it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Love the photos.
Thank you Jovina, I was lucky this time that the girls wanted to help I love to keep you all in the process.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I’d like to hear it
I wish you could hear it. It sounds really good, and it’s a great cast with lots of experienced singers.
Best wishes
Charlotte
So where can I listen? this might give me a substitute
Such fun you put into everything you do! I can feel the excitement through your posts. Thank you for sharing.
Yipee that is what I want to get over, it has been a great three weeks and opening night this Saturday.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Your description, “it feels like a young bird soaring for the very first time aided by the energy of a friendly gust of wind, climbing and gliding effortlessly whilst enjoying the moment.” made the whole experience come alive for me as well.
Break a leg!!
What a gorgeous message it made me smile 😊. I’m having great fun.
Best wishes
Charlotte
And that makes a wonderful life! Enjoy!
Does it feel strange to rehearse when you’re not in full costume? Great pcs as ever.
I’ve got used to it, but dress rehearsals are always great because sometimes costumes can hinder your planned movements and you then need to adapt to suit the costume.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks for showing us some of the preparation steps. All the best.
Thank you John, it’s great to sing with a fantastic orchestra.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte , Good luck for next weekend.
I love the photo’s and thank you for an insight into how you prepair for the part.wishing you all good luck.xx👏👏👏😘
Thank you, missing you both. I’ve been so busy, but I am hoping to catch up with everyone soon.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte, I am learning so much from you about all the work that goes into staging a musical production. It also looks like fun. Break a leg next weekend. I’m sure you will be awesome!
There are so many people involved Noelle, singers, dancers, orchestra, then the directors, costume, set design, props and on. I just love it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
As we say in french ” Merde” ! and Bravo ! All the best for you, always miss Rainbow voice !!
Haha I love that expression. I wish you could see this show it’s a great production I’m excited for Saturday.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Sounds like it’s coming together. Have fun. I found it refreshing to see that the word
sitzprobe is used in the UK also.
It’s so good to sing with an orchestra again, Don. I hadn’t realised how much I missed it. It’s a German word ‘sitzprobe’ and seems to have been adopted by us.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I enjoy this kind of information about the rehearsal process so much, Charlotte. What a lot of work you put into your art and I know it pays off. We can’t be there, but will be thinking about you having great performances.
I hope that you are both keeping well. Sorry, you can’t see the show; it is sounding great. Not long now till curtains up three sleeps 😊. I like doing matinee performances on a Sunday too they are such a good idea. George is relieved I’m finally going home next week 😃.
Best wishes
Charlotte
How amazing. My first thought as I read how these are recorded was how do you get into the emotion when the scenes are out of order? Which you then covered in the post! Good article, Charlotte.
Hi Charlotte,
Been away too long. First, first, congratulations to you and George on your marriage. Much, much happiness together. I’m glad to see you’re back to performing. I know film scenes are done out of sequence. I didn’t think rehearsals were done out of sequence. Best wishes on the rehearsals and performance.
Last Saturday, my daughter Elizabeth had a preview concert ahead of the larger concert which is tentative for mid-November. (Original schedule was for July/August) Our covid cases has shown no signs of slowing. Our county is now leading the state in every category, which is not my definition of an improving situation. The larger concert has been sold out since June, with an expected audience of 750. Getting that many people together is no easy feat. The plan is for a highly recommended mask. Also, we’re hoping winter, snow and cold, holds off since it’s planned to be an outdoor concert. For the preview concert, we had an audience size of 150. Here are two links for the numbers I’ve posted:
https://wp.me/p2G8qh-4CC
https://wp.me/p2G8qh-4CV
I plan to post a third at week’s end.
I must give credit to you girls to perform in heels. Elizabeth wore 4-inch heels, stilettoes, during her concert. She’s 5-4 in height, the heels added 4 inches. For the duet, it made sense, since I could look straight into her eyes (lol).
Both of you, stay well. Best regards to George.
David
What a fascinating insight into the process. Your technique of a split sheet is something I could use in writing also, if only I would get in the groove of planning rather than just letting my characters emerge on the page.
This is fascinating.
I sure know about shooting “out of order”. I think that is one of the most challenging aspects of an actors performance.
Your performance passion has always drawn me to you. Yes, your voice is the cherry, but your ability to embrace a character in other areas of the performance is most notable. You give a complete package! Love it, Charlotte!
I’m involved in bringing the baby Opera BambinO to a digital version this December, it is going to be a challenge to bring an immersive experience to the small screen. I’m excited to be involved in something new.
Best wishes Resa,
Charlotte x
Wow! Sounds fabulous. You just keep expanding. Way to go!
xo