Attilio Cremonesi had each of the soloists sing one of their arias first up. It was a good chance for him to get to know their voices and for the soloists to get to know Attilio's approach. He accompanied them on harpsichord with Ben Bayl playing the other harpsichord and Danny Yeadon playing baroque cello.
A lovely start. David Walker has a beautiful counter tenor which will suit the role of Holofernes very well.
It was good to see (and hear) Sally-Anne, Sarah and Fiona again and for Liz and me to hear Renae for the first time.
There is some discussion about whether the Latin will be sung is the usual ecclesiastical way or in the Venetian way that would have been in the original performance. Attilio will probably decide this overnight.
Friday he will work with the soloists separately, starting with Sara who does not mind an early start.
We now get daily reports from the box office - seats are selling at the rate of 50-60 a day and we are still well ahead of Dardanus (2005) which was our fastest selling production so far. The Sunday performance is now getting tight. Perhaps SRO?
Rehearsal Thursday 8 November: Alison, Sally-Anne, Ben, Attilio, Danny.
And (far left) stage manager Maree, Sara, (far right) David with the backs of Mark's and Hamish's head in the foreground.
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