Yesterday’s rehearsal was a long one. With three calls and the woman’s chorus joining the evening call, there was much progress.
Pinchgut’s Liz Nielsen attended and emailed me this morning:- “What a joy to hear them. This is a very strong chorus of 5 sopranos and 5 altos. You will recognise a lot of the faces, Lindy Montgomery, Alison Morgan, Natalie Shea, Jenny Duck Chong and Jo Burton. Haydn splits the chorus into men and women and gives the most beautiful music to the women who actually end the whole opera. Erin led the rehearsal from the fortepiano. Nicole Dorigo was there to help with the Italian. It was so interesting to see Nicole and Erin work together to see how the singers shaping the words musically and phonetically makes for a beautiful sound. I left the rehearsal after the women’s chorus grieving over Eurydice's grave. Listen out for this at the beginning of Act 3 as it is an extraordinary piece of choral writing.”
Soprano Elena Xanthoudakis, who will be performing the roles of Eurydice and the Sybil, also joined Pinchgut for the first time in the morning - with a coaching session with Erin Helyard, a work through on some of her recits, and then a discussion with director Mark Gaal and Erin (photo right). This is her first time with Pinchgut and first opera role in Australia since she sang Adina for Victorian Opera in 2008. Elena says of this visit:- “ I can tell you I am really looking forward to returning home soon and getting the chance to dig my teeth into this glorious music!”.
Today is another full day with the three actors/Fates continuing working through each scene, and the men’s chorus joining the rehearsals this afternoon. Meanwhile, there is much activity outside the rehearsal space:- with the amazing set being built; costumes being made and tested; and marketing and promotions in full swing.
And summer has hit! Hot, sunny and humid - and mangos almost at their best.
Anna
Photos: The woman’s chorus from Cantillation; Mark Gall, Elena Xanthoudakis & Erin Helyard.
Comments