So, for the novice at this opera thing, or about any singing with orchestra let me explain what I mean by concerns with tempos. The tempo is the speed at which the piece you are singing goes. It can change sometimes during the piece but usually, there is a collaboration between the conductor and singer(s) in the first few rehearsals to establish what the speed(s) will be. This is one of the most important things that happen in the initial rehearsals. Once the tempos are established, the singers can get the piece into their bodies and can finally get comfortable singing it. If perhaps the singer (or even and instrumentalist) feels the piece is too fast or too slow, it effects the way they perform the piece. For example, if the tempo is too fast, the singer may not be able to get enough breath in the places they would normally take breaths, and if it is too slow, they will have the opposite problem, not having enough breath to sustain the needed sound and perhaps will need to take too many breaths. In either case, it can create a psychological barrier and prevent the performer from doing his or her best. When the tempo is right, it is evident immediately and one will sense a sort of freeness in the performer's persona. But, when wrong, you'll be able to see the performer becoming uncomfortable right before your very eyes.
So, back to day 2, no complaints really except the day ended up being quite long. We rehearsed with the orchestra from 9:45- 2:15 and then had a break till 7:30 when we had a "recitative" rehearsal with the continuo players. Another informative factoid: recitatives are the parts between the "arias" and "ensembles" (where the orchestra plays) which are usually accompanied by a "continuo" group that normally consists of a harpsichord and cello. It is imperative to have rehearsals with this group separate from the orchestra rehearsals in order to work out the timing and intentions of what is being said. Think theatre dialogue rehearsal but with a melody, rhythms and a harpsichord and cellist to accompany you. Anyway, it was a long day.
Now, to today's rehearsal...day 3:
We had the other two singers arrive for today's rehearsal; a baritone and soprano who both arrived from Salzburg where they were both involved in a staged production of Armida...convenient, no? Consequently, a lot of time was spent with them leaving the principals (Armida and I) a bit short-changed today. We had it in mind to do another "recit" rehearsal this evening, but cancelled it instead due to fatigue on everyone's part.
So, that leaves us the rest of the day to relax a bit and then pack the bags for our transfer to Amsterdam City Center tomorrow after yet another early morning rehearsal with the orchestra!
I'll be in touch.
All the best,
Greg
