I really didn't imagine I would enjoy this music so much. My exposure to Wagner has been quite limited, and as a trombonist I played more Bruckner than Wagner. Ga-wow. Little did I know how crazy good this music feels to sing!
Yesterday was my 5th complete day of staging. Stephen, Christiane and I have thrown ourselves into the madness that is Bieito's regie. We tend to mark the singing because of how physical it is in the beginning, running around and writhing on the floor. I mark more than they do, and had actually not sung full out in any of the staging rehearsals. (When I arrived Stuttgart got a bad cold and have been recovering slowly from that.) Finally yesterday I started to use my voice in Act One. After having been inspired by Otelli's Klingsor the day before I decided I wasn't going to be cautious for a moment and just sing and have fun.
Have fun might be the wrong choice of words. All of us have been waking up with sore muscles from all the activity and body tension that can creep in when you've been directed to "play like a crazy animal." I can hardly move each morning I wake up. But fun I had despite it all. My voice is finally over the cold and it went well, despite the fact I'm tied to a spit and Kundry is sniffing my armpit. :-) Never mind what I'm doing when she's describing Herzeleide's care for his child in Act Two ...
Afterward my colleagues had some very nice things to say. It was highly appreciated as we were having our first musical rehearsal with the conductor that same night. I walked into the musical rehearsal with TV camera's in my face to record the proceedings for posterity. Ugh. Not optimal settings to begin my voyage into unknown waters. I had to hold the music stand to keep my hands from visibly shaking.
There was quickly a very good energy in the room, the stage set by Stephen Milling's incredible singing and easy going nature. Mother of Minnie Pearl, the man can sing! So, all I had to do was just slip into it all and not suck. Very quickly the maestro and I found a commonality and he put me at ease. I have a lot to learn in this rep and I don't pretend otherwise. The harmonic structure of the piece allows a freedom of expression I'll take my time to get to know. Not having sung in a German opera before I don't quite have a handle on the conventions. But with the right guidance, it'll come. I think I'm very luck to have this team around me to help me.
A big ol' shout out to the Pittsburgher's reading this. I agree.
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