How to Learn an Opera in a Month
By divalounger
@divalounger (6117)
United States
September 11, 2022 2:46pm CST
Actually, I suppose it is more like 2 months total, but I am expected to have the music memorized by the time of the first rehearsal--an act blocked and learned each weekend--then 1 weekend of running it and voila--we will be up and running for 3 weeks--I have a small part in Il Trovatore next month--Ines--Leonora's friend and confidant. In all, about 6 pages of music--maybe less, so when I am not Ines, I am in the chorus--and the chorus has a ton of music in this opera--
It has been fun--we are triple cast because of covid and everyone must take a covid test before each rehearsal and performance. Not everyone wears masks, but most do--we are in the 3rd week and so far, so good--
7 people like this
8 responses
@DaddyEvil (137460)
• United States
12 Sep 22
I hope everything goes well for you all. Break a leg!
2 people like this
@divalounger (6117)
• United States
12 Sep 22
or toi, toi, toi as they say in the opera world--and thank you
3 people like this
Both mean virtually the same thing. Warding off bad luck.
You're very welcome. 
@TheHorse (220068)
• Walnut Creek, California
2 Apr 23
@divalounger You talkin' "you you you," or is this some other language?
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (90295)
• Arvada, Colorado
11 Sep 22
Sounds very exciting Diva!
Yes that is a good idea being triple cast just in case.
Would love to hear you sing.
I have never gone to an opera.
I have never gone to an opera.2 people like this
@divalounger (6117)
• United States
12 Sep 22
It is fun and exciting and scary--the conductor is good about cueing entrances, but when more than one person is singing at the same time, or when the lines go really quickly, it can be a challenge--
2 people like this
@divalounger (6117)
• United States
12 Sep 22
@RebeccasFarm I will see if someone makes one--When I did Traviata, someone did--I have a copy of that somewhere
1 person likes this
@divalounger (6117)
• United States
17 Sep 22
It is both fun and a challenge really--I am getting older and the memorization doesn't come as easily anymore.
1 person likes this
@divalounger (6117)
• United States
12 Sep 22
Ines is a soprano, though the range is very middly--nothing above an f--it is a fun opera to do
1 person likes this
@divalounger (6117)
• United States
12 Sep 22
@LadyDuck Such a smart composer in so many ways--often overblown singing though and if you sing too much Verdi, the voice can suffer. Puccini is just the opposite--the voice is so pulled back sometimes to make the line work--tiring in its own right
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471969)
• Switzerland
12 Sep 22
@divalounger I really like the Trovatore and Giuseppe Verdi is my favorite.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80635)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 Sep 22
That does sound like fun and best of luck to you
2 people like this
@divalounger (6117)
• United States
12 Sep 22
It is fun! Because of Covid, I hadn't been on stage in a while--and it reminds me how much I love performing
2 people like this
@divalounger (6117)
• United States
2 Apr 23
Well! It was a great cast--and that counts for a lot of it--the other part of that is that it is just fun to perform--
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220068)
• Walnut Creek, California
2 Apr 23
@divalounger I am glad to hear that. I suck at remembering lines!
1 person likes this
@divalounger (6117)
• United States
12 Sep 22
Thank you! Each rehearsal is an adventure into what I can pull up in my brain
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181217)
• United States
12 Sep 22
How exciting. I wish you the best of luck. Who is in the picture?
1 person likes this
@divalounger (6117)
• United States
12 Sep 22
That is me--a couple of years ago--I thought I would try to find a costumed picture but I didn't have one on hand
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181217)
• United States
13 Sep 22
@divalounger Lovely. It's nice to know who I'm speaking with!
