Tonight was my first proper rehearsal with Birmingham Opera for the chorus of Othello. I’m a Tenor 2, aparently, and although this is subject to change it’s probably about right as I can go low, but not too low, and I can go high, but not too high. I’m like Goldilocks’ porridge. Vocally speaking.
The chorus is made up of volunteers, the vast majority of whom are non-professional and a fair few of whom have never sung in something of this scale before. The performance itself will be professional in every other way from the leads to the music (CBSO, I think) to the sets. This is a proper piece of opera with the chorus (and ancillary actors) being drawn from the community and, over the next couple of months, brought up to that level.
Today, though, we just worked through a few pages of the score to get a feel for things, firstly talking through the lyrics to get the tempo right, then echoing the piano. There are seven parts to the chorus (Soprano 1 & 2, Alto, Tenor 1 & 2 and Bass 1 & 2) so it took a while to go round everyone and I found it very hard to keep the music in my head. I think I tend to mimic rather than remember but thankfully we’ve been issued with CDs for each part to listen to and repeat. I think if I do this a couple of hundred times I should have it memorised.
It’s a pretty intensive schedule. The next rehearsal is on Saturday (which is also when I’m moving most of my stuff into Fiona’s – oh joy) and it’s then twice a week at most until the performances of which there are seven on December 5, 7, 9, 12, 14 and 17. It’s a good job I’m freelance!
While I can’t be sure, I think they’re still open for people to join, especially in the tenors. There were only about 10 of us there tonight compared with the oceans of Altos and Basses. So, blokes with relatively high voices? Call Liz on 0121 246 6644. That includes you Antonio.
Damn, she’s convinced you too!
According to Annabel I might be a tenor, not that I know what that means.
I’ve already asked if I can do some of the techy behind-the-scenes stuff and they’re ok with that though that would come later. None the less I’ll hopefully be along to the rehearsal on Tuesday
Now to find some sandpaper to scrub off that thumb mark