Taking a break from getting settled back into my little hobbit hole (what a difference a window fan/AC unit makes!) to clear up some Figaro confusion.
Just as the 06-07 season was my Year of Golijov, this season is going to be the Year of Figaro. Two different productions, two roles, and in an arrangement which I couldn’t have set out more perfectly. Here it is in black and white:
October: cover Barbarina in the Met’s Le Nozze di Figaro
November: sing Barbarina in same production (also a show on Dec. 1)
February: sing Susanna in Opera Grand Rapid’s Le Nozze di Figaro
Cover, observe, sing, observe some more, sing. Fantastic! I’ll get to start slowly, with Barbarina’s four or five pages of recit and two-page aria, which feels like an appetizer (an “amuse bouche,” even?) for the whole role of Susanna.
I know the assistant conductor for the Met Figaro, and I intend to ask him if I can sit in on rehearsals for which I’m not called so I can immerse myself in the music. I figure the more I can hear of the recit and the different ways the singers approach it, the better. I’ll be observing two different Susannas, and I’m excited to take notes on things like characterization and musical choices, but also to watch their methods for getting through this enormous role. How do they pace themselves? When do they “rest” and when do they go all out? The opportunity to observe this role close up for three months before I perform it myself is invaluable.
So, there you have it. I’m sorry I didn’t get this spelled out before tickets went on sale. I know some folks have tickets for the October run; hopefully you’ll find the production enjoyable enough to come back and see it again in November!
2 comments:
That's fabulous! I'll definitely be able to hear you! No matter what, I'm coming up to NYC with my roommate. We're not sure whether we're going to come during Thanksgiving or for the December 1st performance, but we're coming. Does your offer still stand to take me (now 'us') backstage?
Also, any advice on tickets? I've heard the student tickets are fabulous, but I'm not sure how to get them. If it's guaranteed that we can get tickets the day of, we'll do that, but I want to make sure we get tickets, even if we don't get to sit together.
I'm so excited for you, and I wish you all the best in your preparation! :D
Oh yeah seeing it twice is hardly a problem. The casts seem to be 100% different. Both have familiar, beloved singers and folks I've never heard, so that's of course exciting.
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