There comes a time in the rehearsal period for every show where you can see it "turn the corner". The point where you go from worrying how on earth you are going to pull it together to knowing it is going to be ok. We turned the corner this week.
I don't know what causes this phenomenon, but I am certain that it happens. Even though our cast is small, I am amazed at some of the sounds they make. We're about 70% there. When everyone is on, they're on. When everyone concentrates, we make great music. I am including myself in this equation. It's so easy to let my concentration lapse just for a second, and I can't afford to. Not. Ever.
So, now that we've turned the corner, I'm sure we are going to have a great show on our hands. Now, my energy and attention needs to go into all the stuff that needs doing. Set building, painting, props, wigs, costumes, and all the other stuff that goes with producing an opera.
I'm ready!
John Arsenault
Music Director
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Dancing
So, our opening number is a dance extravaganza. At least, we're getting there! We were having so many problems with the dancing not being together, and with the singers not being able to sing when it came time to sing because they were all out of breath.
Well, last night we re-worked the opening number. Jeanine (our director) walked through the scene with the ladies and suggested places they might simplify things. Then, the ladies went downstairs to work it out. They stayed down there for an hour and a half! When they came back upstairs to show us what they had done, it was SO much better. This is the kind of opening number we were hoping for. With four more weeks until the show opens, that will give them enough time to make it absolutely spectacular.
Thank goodness we have such a capable cast!
John Arsenault
Music Director
Well, last night we re-worked the opening number. Jeanine (our director) walked through the scene with the ladies and suggested places they might simplify things. Then, the ladies went downstairs to work it out. They stayed down there for an hour and a half! When they came back upstairs to show us what they had done, it was SO much better. This is the kind of opening number we were hoping for. With four more weeks until the show opens, that will give them enough time to make it absolutely spectacular.
Thank goodness we have such a capable cast!
John Arsenault
Music Director
Monday, July 13, 2009
Another week of staging begins
As we begin another week of staging, I'm starting to think about how much there is to do. These things creep up on us... there is a backdrop to put up, two backdrops to be painted, set pieces to build, props to purchase, wigs to purchase, instrumentalists to recruit, and the list goes on and on.
I once heard a quote that struck home with me. The essence of it was if you ever have the notion to create your own opera company, find a brick wall, and beat your head against it until the urge goes away!
Some days I feel I should have taken that advice. But then I have these moments where I feel like I am exactly where I am meant to be. Is it hard work to produce an opera? Yes. Does the financial uncertainty make you want to scream and wake up in cold sweats in the middle of the night? Yes. Is it all worth it when the curtain goes up and you watch and hear your very capable cast make some good theatre? Yes, it is.
So, I will keep building, painting, accounting, meeting, pleading, writing grant applications, studying scores and holding auditions. It really is all worth while. And when you plant a little seed, who knows how big the plant will grow. We shall see.
John Arsenault
Music Director/Producer/Secretary Treasurer/well you get it!
I once heard a quote that struck home with me. The essence of it was if you ever have the notion to create your own opera company, find a brick wall, and beat your head against it until the urge goes away!
Some days I feel I should have taken that advice. But then I have these moments where I feel like I am exactly where I am meant to be. Is it hard work to produce an opera? Yes. Does the financial uncertainty make you want to scream and wake up in cold sweats in the middle of the night? Yes. Is it all worth it when the curtain goes up and you watch and hear your very capable cast make some good theatre? Yes, it is.
So, I will keep building, painting, accounting, meeting, pleading, writing grant applications, studying scores and holding auditions. It really is all worth while. And when you plant a little seed, who knows how big the plant will grow. We shall see.
John Arsenault
Music Director/Producer/Secretary Treasurer/well you get it!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
First staging rehearsal with the men!
First staging rehearsals are always interesting... you don't know what to expect from your cast. Well, I was right when I said this was one of our strongest yet. They are all very well prepared and the staging went really smoothly.
It's also always interesting when you announce to the men that they will be doing choreography :-) But, after a couple of initial titters they were all in there acting just as ridiculous as we hoped they would.
One thing that impresses me with this group is how quickly they are able to make changes to the way they are singing based on the notes I'm giving as the conductor. It's really exciting to conduct a responsive group.
On that note, there was a moment in rehearsal tonight when I really was reminded that a very small change to the kind of gesture I make really influences the sound that the singers create. The more I conduct, the more I love it, and the more I realize that there is still such a vast amount of learning for me to do. But, that's what keeps it exciting, and the desire to learn is what makes a good musician. We can never sit on our laurels and assume that we have it all figured out. Back to the mirror for me so I can see what these gestures look like!
John Arsenault
Music Director
It's also always interesting when you announce to the men that they will be doing choreography :-) But, after a couple of initial titters they were all in there acting just as ridiculous as we hoped they would.
One thing that impresses me with this group is how quickly they are able to make changes to the way they are singing based on the notes I'm giving as the conductor. It's really exciting to conduct a responsive group.
On that note, there was a moment in rehearsal tonight when I really was reminded that a very small change to the kind of gesture I make really influences the sound that the singers create. The more I conduct, the more I love it, and the more I realize that there is still such a vast amount of learning for me to do. But, that's what keeps it exciting, and the desire to learn is what makes a good musician. We can never sit on our laurels and assume that we have it all figured out. Back to the mirror for me so I can see what these gestures look like!
John Arsenault
Music Director
Monday, July 6, 2009
Our first staging rehearsal
Well, tonight was our first staging rehearsal for Iolanthe. We staged the opening scene with the fairies, Iolanthe and the Fairy Queen. It was excellent! Jeanine has pulled out her comic genius again!
Johanna did a fantastic job teaching the choreography. She's very good at breaking things down into basic elements so people can understand quickly. I think the scene is going to look great once people are comfortable with it and with their characters.
There were a few musical things that went off the rails, but that is to be expected when everyone is running around like fairies and dancing their little fairy feet off.
All in all, a great first rehearsal. I can't wait to see the rest!
John Arsenault
Music Director
Johanna did a fantastic job teaching the choreography. She's very good at breaking things down into basic elements so people can understand quickly. I think the scene is going to look great once people are comfortable with it and with their characters.
There were a few musical things that went off the rails, but that is to be expected when everyone is running around like fairies and dancing their little fairy feet off.
All in all, a great first rehearsal. I can't wait to see the rest!
John Arsenault
Music Director
Welcome to our new blog!
Welcome to DragonDiva Operatic Theatre's new blog. You can keep yourself updated on our company and follow our preparation for our shows!
We've been very busy! We are now three weeks into rehearsal for our upcoming production of Iolanthe. Please follow the link to our website one the left for performance details. I have been having a great time conducting this very talented group of singers. I feel this may be one of our strongest overall casts yet! I am already very happy with the sound and I still have weeks of rehearsal before we have to open the show.
It's always an exciting point for me when I turn the rehearsals over to the talented and wonderful Ms. Fynn. She is a very gifted director and I can only imagine what hilarity she has in store for us.
We recently participated in the Canada Day celebrations in Queen's Park (see picture above!). It was a great success. We handed out a number of flyers for our show and we had lots of costumes for the children to dress up in and have their pictures taken. All in all, a fun day. Special thanks to Kayla, Tracy and Grant for their help!
Keep on the lookout for more posts about our progress on Ioalanthe. It certainly looks like it is going to be a memorable show!
John Arsenault
Music Director
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