In the final haul for Alcina
Hi everyone! This is Monica Reinagel, guest-blogging for John who, as you might imagine, is somewhat consumed with everything that has to happen between now and our opening night next Friday. Sets are being finished, costumes fitted, and props rounded up (I just got to pick out a whopping big fake engagement ring to wear in Act III!).
Meanwhile, we singers are reviewing our stage directions, practicing our "bits," finalizing ornaments for our da capo arias, and trying to be ready for our first full run-through tonight! It promises to be a bit chaotic...over the last week and a half, we've only had time to work on each scene once, and mostly out of order. But as the last scenes were staged, the big picture started to come into focus and I think all of us started to get really excited about how well John's concept for Alcina (which he sets in the hallucinogenic, free-loving 60's) serves the piece.
The cast has been joking about the need to do more "research" into hallucinogens and free-loving, but so far I think everyone has been too busy to do anything but enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the night and fall into bed, with whatever aria we've just staged running through our heads. (And none of these arias are particularly sleep-inducing!)
We've also been talking about what a roller coaster the opera is. Handel's score (and John's staging) whiplashes from full-out comedy to outright eroticism to terrifying intensity and back. I think it's going to make for a very entertaining and affecting night in the theater. I hope you're planning to come. John's far too dignified to make a sales pitch in his blog, but I'm not: Call 410-547-7997 or visit operavivente.org to get your tickets.
More from John when he has a chance to catch his breath!
Meanwhile, we singers are reviewing our stage directions, practicing our "bits," finalizing ornaments for our da capo arias, and trying to be ready for our first full run-through tonight! It promises to be a bit chaotic...over the last week and a half, we've only had time to work on each scene once, and mostly out of order. But as the last scenes were staged, the big picture started to come into focus and I think all of us started to get really excited about how well John's concept for Alcina (which he sets in the hallucinogenic, free-loving 60's) serves the piece.
The cast has been joking about the need to do more "research" into hallucinogens and free-loving, but so far I think everyone has been too busy to do anything but enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the night and fall into bed, with whatever aria we've just staged running through our heads. (And none of these arias are particularly sleep-inducing!)
We've also been talking about what a roller coaster the opera is. Handel's score (and John's staging) whiplashes from full-out comedy to outright eroticism to terrifying intensity and back. I think it's going to make for a very entertaining and affecting night in the theater. I hope you're planning to come. John's far too dignified to make a sales pitch in his blog, but I'm not: Call 410-547-7997 or visit operavivente.org to get your tickets.
More from John when he has a chance to catch his breath!
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