
Rehearsal period:
Figaro – 22 days
The Ring – 72 days
Rehearsals scheduled on the first day:
Figaro – 2 sessions
The Ring – 13 sessions
With four operas melded into one production, it only makes sense that we need more time to mount The Ring. We rehearse over four times longer than usual, and, if I may say so, four times more intensely to get it all done! Usually, there is a music rehearsal and possibly a staging rehearsal on the first day of a production, but for The Ring we dive right in, scheduling all four operas to start rehearsing at once.
Spaces used for rehearsals:
Figaro – 4 rooms
The Ring – 5 rooms and 1 hallway
That’s right, because so many rehearsals take place simultaneously, beware of giants working on their fighting skills or Rheinmaidens flying in the air in the hallway outside to our usual rehearsal rooms!
Production staff:
Figaro – 4 stage managers
The Ring – 9 stage managers and 2 scheduling coordinators
Music staff:
Figaro – 5 conductors and pianists
The Ring – 8 conductors and pianists
Without question, these 19 people are the unsung and un-applauded gods of The Ring Cycle. They put in unthinkable hours of sweat (and probably a few tears) working as the rehearsal support staff, not to mention the 3 directors, and even 2 van drivers that you can spot zipping around town in our Ring van transporting the artists to rehearsals.
Now that you have a more tangible idea of what goes on in the 3 months before opening night, stay tuned for a look at the numbers behind what you will see onstage!
Having seen just a tiny part of what goes into making this production a success I am in awe of everyone involved.
ReplyDeleteHallo, "Ring"- anticipaters and creators!!
ReplyDeleteYES!!! A lot of time and effort and ability from a lot of people go into a "Ring" production. Why not honor them all by having all who are then available (stage hands, musical-preparers, costume-cutters, etc., etc., mass on stage at the end of "Goetterdaemmerung" for a well-deserved curtain call??
Aller Achtung!!
Win