Welcome to my new blog, as I enter the new (to me) world of living opera from the stage! Having watched many operas from the audience and from DVD's, I wanted to experience first-hand the process of creating this magical artform. Piedmont Opera Artistic Director Jamie Allbritten and Director Steve LaCosse are giving me that chance, in a non-singing, non-speaking "supernumerary" role (make that three roles!) in Il Trovatore by Verdi.
Here are some quotes from Wikipedia regarding the term "Supernumerary:"
"A Supernumerary is an additional member of an organization."
"Supernumerary actors: The term's original use, from the Latin supernumerarius, meant someone paid to appear on stage in crowd scenes or in the case of opera as non-singing small parts. Supernumeraries are usually amateur character artists who train under professional direction to create a believable scene."
"In the Roman army, supernumerarii were either public officers who attended on several of the Roman magistrates or a kind of soldier who served to fill the places of those who were killed or disabled by their wounds, or otherwise bring up the ranks to strength." Very interesting!
What I hope to do with this blog is to chronicle the process of putting an opera production together, from the perspective of one who is just learning what it's all about. So far, what I know is this, that a whole lot of work has been on-going for several months already. Jamie and Steve have put in countless hours studying the score and libretto, planning the production schedule, selecting and hiring the principals, chorus, stage managers and others, procuring costumes and sets, to name a few tasks. Some rehearsals have already begun, mainly with the chorus.
Today the principal cast members started arriving from out of town, and their rehearsals begin tomorrow, 9/8/10. My first call for rehearsal occurs on Saturday, 9/11/10 and I can hardly wait! Steve assures me that he will train me sufficiently in transforming myself into a gypsy, a monk and a nun, obviously not all at the same time, so that hopefully I won't make any on-stage gaffes. At least you won't have to hear me sing! But I relish the thought of being surrounded by so many who can sing mighty well.
It promises to be a spectacular production and I hope to see a big turnout for my debut, or for any other reason. Just be there!
Judy - This blog is a great idea, and I am already feeling myself pulled into the idea of attending Il Trovatore. I have gone to only one or two opera productions here, so I qualify as one of those folks who needs education...and you're just the person to do it...you supernumerary, you.
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