Rules for Playing Opera

It’s taken me far too long to write my list of rules for playing opera, despite having talked about them many times. Given I’ve just got in from the dress rehearsal for an opera which includes some newbies in the pit, I probably should have written this some time ago. Oh well.

The material in an earlier post (about rehearsal discipline) applies, but here we have the added fun of not just worrying about players, but also singers that are well separated from the orchestra, and busy worrying about their own things…

Anyway. Rules. Always useful. Just ask The Transporter. Or Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Not that you can, because, fiction, but… (I may be most of the way through a very large G&T after a long rehearsal…) Bear in mind I’m not a professional – I suspect their rules are more complicated.

Rule 1: Watch.

The conductor is in charge. They are best placed to influence what’s going on, they have the full score, they can see the stage, and the pit, and should be being watched by everyone, so if (when) things go wrong, they can get it back on track.

Rule 2: See Rule 1.

Seriously, it’s important. If you can’t see the conductor and your music at the same time, then adjust your stand and/or position so you can.

Rule 3: If you don’t know what a marking in your part means, it means “Watch.”

Not just for basic speed, but expression and, if the MD is properly in control, dynamics too. The singers are going to be pulling things around, even if they don’t mean to. You watch, you can keep in time with everyone else.

Rule 4: Know your part.

This is the one I have the most problems with, due to not really having enough time to practise… But, again, rule 1 overrides what you think you know. If you’re not in the right place, you’re definitely wrong. If you’re in the right place, but on the wrong note, well, mistakes happen – but at least you’re not lost. If you know your part, then you’ve got more time to follow rule 1. And to make corrections, when things go wrong. Speaking of which…

Rule 5: Be prepared for things to go wrong

“A catastrophe curve, Mr Bucket, is what opera runs along. Opera happens because a large number of things amazingly fail to go wrong.” – Terry Pratchett, “Maskerade”. Ties neatly back with Rule 1. Something musical goes wrong, watch the MD, as it’s their job to bring everything back together.

Rule 6: There is no rule 6.

Rule 7: Try to enjoy it.

After all, if you’re not enjoying it, why are you doing it?