Rehearsals have started for our production of Otello (January 22-25) and I want to give you a first hand look at the rehearsal process.

Musical rehearsals have ended – this is where the singers rehearse just with Maestro Aprea and work out the musical aspects of the show.  Staging rehearsals have started – this is where the singers work with the director and Maestro Aprea to physically stage the show.

First the director (here is our director Bernard Uzan) talks to the cast about the scene that they are about to stage:

Then, he works with the cast and shows them where to go on the stage:

Then, the singers practice the directions they have just been giving while singing the music:

All of these rehearsals are accompanied by piano – in this case our Assistant Conductor & Chorus Master Greg Ritchey is playing:

Stay tuned for more exclusive rehearsal photos from Otello!

Ok, so it is a week before TURANDOT opens and we’re in overdrive. Rehearsals have moved to the Kravis Center stage. The set is up. The costumes are on. Last night’s tech rehearsal (not quite a dress rehearsal, but still on the stage with some props and costumes) ran until 11:00 pm on the nose. There were lots of glitches (like the Ladies in Waiting quick change not being quick enough) but that will just make today’s rehearsal better and smoother.

Tonight the performers will have wigs and make-up in addition to the costumes which they wore last night. Even though they had been rehearsing on the set in the Rinker Playhouse for a week and had the staging down to a science, once the costumes are added to the mix, a lot of readjusting has to go on. The costumes for the “popolo” or “crowd” are made of rags to show their poor social status. Moving around on the floor with lots of little bits of material getting in your way is a whole different ballgame than being in your own clothes.

Don’t forget to check out our rehearsals photo gallery for exclusive photos of the making of TURANDOT:

Turandot Rehearsals

Check out our exclusive rehearsal photos of Puccini’s TURANDOT!

Turandot Rehearsals