An Early Start

Opera Grand Rapids started the staging of the chorus for Puccini’s Manon Lescaut last week. This is a new twist to our normal schedule. Usually the chorus meets a couple times in December to get our music and run through the score. After a holiday break, we gather again on Monday nights in January with Chorus Master Duane Davis. Then, a couple weeks before the show, Maestro Lyall comes into town and we work on staging the production. For Manon Lescaut, Maestro has opted to come into Grand Rapids early to work exclusively with the chorus and supers. I have to admit that I like getting the staging earlier because it helps with musical timing and memorization. Some people find the “stand and sing” to be easy, but I need to move around and have a motivation to really feel the words and music. In Manon Lescaut the chorus is involved in a card game which may prove to be a challenge both musically and theatrically. Have you ever watched a production where the characters are obviously just standing there waiting to sing? Ugh! My favorite director’s quote is “If you don’t have a purpose to be here, get off my stage!” So everyone should be actively doing something at all times on stage and the challenge is to make it all seem effortless and natural. Opera is so much more than just singing pretty!