Opera is one of the most difficult
art forms due to the excellency expected in every area of the
performance. Traditionally, the
music takes priory over the
acting,
direction and
scenic design. For this reason, the
musical director,
conductor and
orchestra start
rehearsal a week or two before the
director is brought in. (the
opera director, unlike the
theatre director is primarily responsible for where people are on stage and little else. Some directors like
Robert Wilson have broken this convention and insisted on being a part of the entire process-- in return for making this bold move, the
opera community has decided that such directors are "
not really doing opera" and started referring to pieces such as
Satyagraha and
Einstein on the Beach as
musicals. This is supposed to be an
insult, but
Philip Glass and
Robert Wilson don't seem to care.) The sitzprobe is the first rehearsal where everyone is in attendance. The
singers stand on stage and do not move. Whoever is singing stands
center then they trade places as the opera progresses. The director watches and makes notes about when movement might be possible.
Traditional opera singers hate to move. The best
singing position is standing up with relaxed arms. The director must be careful to make note of the difficult portions of the opera and ensure that none of the staging has the singer
kneeling or
walking or doing some other
difficult thing during an
aria .
In the old days in Europe when opera was still new the sitzprobe was a rehearsal that the patron monarch of the theatre would attend to see how the show he sponsored was coming along. This tradition is continued to this day-- if you become an angel of your local opera (generally this involves donating $1,000 or $10,000 ) you will be invited to this rehearsal. If you would like to locate the director look for the unhappy person in the third row tugging on her hair.