Staging rehearsals for Hoffmann

Have I ever mentioned that I just love staging rehearsals with Opera Colorado? They are so much fun!

The first thing the stage director said to us at the first full chorus staging rehearsal was, "We begin with a dance audition!" Ugh. All my hopes of making a good first impression went out the window with that opening statement. So, I am not a dancer (duh!), but I still have very busy staging, which makes me happy, and it has given me a chance to redeem myself from the dance audition. Some choristers have had the misfortune to be assigned to stand on the top platform and react to what happens on the floor. I think I would be bored to tears in that situation. Instead, I am happily chasing Arthur, the robot, around the stage for the entire act and operating his right arm (which happens to be made out of an egg beater...). We rarely stop moving - as soon as we reach one position, it is time to move to the next one, so it keeps me on my toes. I think the audience is really going to enjoy it!

Saturday, we added the principals to the mix. They are excellent, and it is truly a privilege to share the stage with them. Pamela Armstrong is particularly impressive, though I might not think so if I didn't know how extremely difficult Olympia's aria is, because she sings it as though it is the easiest thing in the world. And I'm all of three feet away from her when she sings it - sweet!!