A Soprano's Scratchpad

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Closing performance

It's finished now - we just gave our last performance of The Pearl Fishers. I am going to miss it terribly - the music, the costumes, even the schedule! And most especially, the other choristers. Despite the great demands, I feel that Opera Colorado respects its performers and treats them well, plus it brings together some of the best talent in the region, which keeps things both exciting and challenging. This whole experience has been wonderful.

Today, my husband and his parents were in the audience, so I was especially glad that I felt today was one of my best performances overall. After I got out of my costume, I brought them backstage and showed them around a bit and introduced them to a few people before taking off my makeup, and then we went to dinner at Racine's. I'm glad my husband finally got to see what I've been working so hard at for the last 6 weeks.

Tonight I'm headed to bed early. This crazy schedule has caught up with me. But I will fall asleep with feelings of peace, joy and accomplishment.

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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Post Review

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_11717586

The Post was harsh on the opera itself, but praised nearly everything that Opera Colorado did with it. This reviewer particularly disagreed with the News reviewer on the quality of the principal singers, which is good. The only downside is that he didn't mention the chorus at all.

We're back in action tonight! Looking forward to it and hoping I feel a little less tired by tonight. An energy boost in my Jamba Juice plus a little stage adrenaline should fix that.

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Monday, February 16, 2009

RMN Review

REVIEW: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/16/design-overcomes-opening-night-woes/

"John Baril's chorus sang well, and moved busily under Andrew Sinclair's stage direction." Yay, chorus!

We'll ignore the fact that they gave the production a "C" overall. Besides, the Rocky Mtn News will probably go under in a month or so, and Opera Colorado will still be going strong! :-p

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Saturday, February 14, 2009

Opening Night - Pearl Fishers

I had a wonderful time tonight. There was so much positive energy in the theatre tonight, despite the sad fact that our leading soprano was ill and unable to perform. Opera Colorado flew in another soprano on Thursday night - she has been performing this role for years, most recently just three weeks ago. She did an incredible job stepping into the role on short notice. Although she was wonderful, we still hope that Heidi will be well enough to perform on Tuesday.

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Make up update

Okay, so I added the blue eye shadow. It doesn't look as realistic up close, but I suspect that the effect from the stage is an improvement.
And here's one to help you see just how dark the make up is.




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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

First Dress Rehearsal

Tonight was fun! Many would say I won the award for being the least recognizeable in costume. At least two people said they had to ask someone who I was. That was neat. I can definitely tell it's me when I look at the pictures, but I had doubts when I looked in the mirror sometimes. I was relieved to find myself still under there at the end of it all!




I have a long braid down my back, though you can't see it in the pictures here. And I'm am debating whether to add some exotic blue eye shadow. I have two more dress rehearsals in which to figure that out. Oddly enough, I am the only female wearing pants and the only female with a hat. It's a unique costume.

The rehearsal was interesting. It was a totally new experience to see it with everyone in their beautiful costumes. Both of my sandals broke in the first scene, which left me barefoot until intermission. Go figure, the first time I go without shoes is the first time someone steps on my foot.

As for my 16-year-old stage boyfriend, we almost didn't recognize each other when we first saw each other on stage. And I had forgotten his costume is little more than a large diaper, so I had to get used to him being practically naked. Hey, they say it gets rather warm in Sri Lanka, and he is supposed to be a pearl diver, after all.

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