12 great reasons to be in an opera chorus |
Are you a professionally trained singer who is working towards the goal of performing major roles? Are you a singing actor who is interested in the thought of taking part in an opera? Have you done musical theatre and think opera might be a fun new venture? Are you a voice student who would enjoy getting on the stage and using what you are learning in the studio? Please read on...
12 Great Reasons to be in an Opera Chorus 1. You gain valuable stage experience. 2. You can list an opera on your resume. 3. You can learn a lot by watching, listening to, and interacting with great singing actors. 4. You can get to know an opera not just by hearing a recording or watching a DVD, but by performing in it. 5. You can let directors get to know you. 6. You can give the audience a chance to see you in action. (Every character in a chorus is being watched by someone.) 7. You can support local opera by being a part of it. 8. You can support the art of opera by exposing your family and friends (who might not ever go to an opera if you weren’t in it) to this beautiful art form. 9. You can enrich your own artistic life by having new musical experiences. 10. You can be onstage without the pressure of being in the spotlight and having lots of solo lines to memorize. 11. You never know who’s in the audience watching, and who may be calling you because of your riveting performance as a village maiden/lad. 12. The best reason to be in an opera chorus is… it’s fun to sing and perform! |
Covering a role
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Greater Worcester Opera often utilizes covers in its mainstage productions. GWO’s reasons include 1. having a prepared singer ready to take his/her role in the mainstage performance if a principal becomes ill or unable to perform, 2. having a prepared singer fill in at rehearsal if a principal performer is not able to attend a rehearsal due to illness or an excused absence, and 3. providing a qualified singer the opportunity to learn a complete role, to both have the role in his/her repertoire, and to be able to list the role on their resume as a covered role, which is of great value on a resume.
Cover singers are expected to attend all principal rehearsals, take blocking and musical notes during these rehearsals, and when possible practice offstage with their cover counterparts if applicable. They are expected to have their music and blocking memorized and performance-ready at the same time that principals are, to achieve the same level of preparedness. Additionally, covers are expected to perform in the chorus of the opera, attending these rehearsals and memorizing this music and blocking as well. Singers covering roles will be listed in the program as “covers”. Because of the limited time for rehearsal, covers will not be guaranteed rehearsal time, but will be responsible for learning and integrating music and blocking through observation during rehearsal, and in private practice time, and will get corporate rehearsal only if time allows. |