Grapes Guide.pdf - Minnesota Opera

elements of opera 100
the premiere
The first presentation of the opera to the general public is known as the premiere. Long before the curtain
goes up, preparations are being made.
6:00 pm Continuity
stagehands (1) set the scenery for the first act of the production.
6:15 pm Makeup calls
principals and comprimarios (2) begin to arrive at the theater to be put into costume by
dressers, then are wigged by the wigmaster (1a) and made up with theatrical makeup.
6:30 pm House opens
Opera patrons are admitted to the auditorium (4) and seated by ushers (5). The house manager (6)
oversees the activities in the front of the house, including the ushers and concession sales. The box
office manager (7) takes care of any last minute ticket purchases. Patrons may remain in the
lobby (8) to attend an informational session of Opera Insights, led by the Opera’s music staff.
6:45 pm Notes
The stage director may give last minute instructions to the cast before the performance begins.
7:00 pm Warm-ups
principals and comprimarios (2) warm-up in their dressing rooms.
7:15 pm Chorus and orchestra warm-ups
The chorus (10), who have already put on their costumes, warms up with the chorusmaster. The
orchestra warms up in the orchestra pit (11).
7:25 pm Places
The production stage manager (12) calls places. Two other stage managers (13) are posted stage
left and stage right to cue the entrances of the singers and choristers.
7:28 pm Orchestra tune
The principal oboe gives a concert “a” to which the orchestra tunes. The surtitle prompter (15)
cues the preshow titles. The conductor shakes the concertmaster’s hand and mounts the podium.
7:30 pm Curtain
The house lights goes out, and the flyman (1a) raises the curtain (16). The show begins.
8:25 pm Intermission
The audience returns to the lobby (8) for refreshments while the stagehands (1) reset the stage
(14) for the next act.
10:15 pm Curtain calls
The performance ends, and the stage director, designers, conductor and singers get to take
a bow for all their hard work.
stagehands move scenery and props
and handle lighting. dressers help
the cast into their often elaborate
costumes.
principals sing the major roles.
comprimarios sing minor named
roles. choristers make up the rest of
the singing cast and are prepared by
the chorusmaster.
The conductor leads the orchestra.
The stage director instructs the cast
where to move onstage. He or she
generally stays only for the premiere.
The orchestra rehearses several
times independently from the
singers. The first rehearsal during
which singers and orchestra perform
together is called a sitzprobe. The
concertmaster is the first violin and
is responsible for “bowing” the string
parts so the performers all move their
bows together.
The production stage manager
“calls” the show, announcing entrance
and lighting cues. Two other stage
managers assist in getting the cast
and chorus on and off the stage. The
surtitle prompter cues the English
translations projected above the stage
from the control booth.