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| Thomas Johannes Mayer as Amfortas |
So I found out what the problem was. My !@#$^& flight belt was on ass-backwards!
I couldn't figure out why sitting in a swing (which is basically what it feels like) would hurt so bad. Well, it turns out the padding doesn't go in the front. And here I thought the bits in front were the things to protect.
I turned the belt around the RIGHT way and things got underway. This evening, rehearsing with the figurants (the technical term for "unpaid people we invite off the street, make them deal with all sorts of unseemly things like having to stand around for hours, then walk miles, shut up, and stop smiling on cue.*"
*In the mass exodus scene of Act 3 we're all supposed to be blank, mindlessly wandering, but some of ya'll look a little too happy and bouncy being there. Stop having a good time! This is theater. You must suffer for art! (But seriously, if you think its fun now, wait until you hear the orchestra. Personally, I plan on wearing adult diapers, cuz everytime I hear Act 3 with orchestra I pee my pants.)
To see photos from today's rehearsal click:
5 comments:
Hi,
This is really an informative video. Lots of good information in your posting, I would like to tweet your blog post so I can visit again in the near future. Thanks a lot!
Well, I'm glad that you won't have to suffer as much for art as you feared. That photo of Amfortas is INTENSE. (As is Act 3 with orchestra.)
Hey Andrew,
We missed you earlier on, having to go over act 3 with a recording playing back... but thankfully a pianist came in the end so we could at least finish with live music. (In case you're wondering, I'm your superman-pose-left-pec-catcher from act 1)
It's great to be part of the show! Amazing music and an amazing cast - I just wish there were less "politics" going on - some people don't realise how lucky they are to be a part of this! Keep up the blog, you're great fun to read!
Catch-ya-later (literally ;-p)
Paul
ps: totally agree with you - Opera Rocks!
Dear Andrew,
This message is just to reassure you about the figurant (these unpaid people coming from the street..;-)
I know it does not seemed like this but there is real selection within the figurant group.
You have to consider that no more than 3% of the belgian population is interested in lyric art, from this group you can throw away all the people who do not like Wagner because of its complexity, especially Parsifal (the most esoteric one), than within that exclusive group you select only the ones who are willing to spend their precious time to come almost overnight during 2 months to be on the stage next to you.
So don't worry, we all know about the dramatical context of Parsifal, we won't laugh during the performance but most probably, some of us will cry thanks to the deep emotion you and the others singers procure to us. Thanks again for this.
Sincerely yours,
Mlle CharLes
That last anonymous comment... couldn't agree more. The extra's are completely part of this big project.
It takes lots of effort (working during the day, and at night rehearsing) but due to the fact we are all volunteers, it means that we are all there because we love being there! !
And I must say: for me it feels like the professional crew, singers, direction team, technicians, and off course you Andrew, really appreciate us being there. They are all warm and friendly, understanding, cooperative, with only one common goal: making this Parsifal an unforgettable event for everyone!
Bruno V.
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