I have worked with opera my whole life. The reason is, of course, that I love it… The huge format, the strong impact, the universal subjects. It is a magical and extravagant art form, no doubt about that. An opera performance is also one of those moments when many different factors coincide.
If the scenography is well done it can give you goosebumps just lookong at it. And if the light is in syntony with the stage, the setting gets amplified. Then there’s the story, the actual narrative which can be emotional, engaging, or terrifying.
After that, there’s the music. Most of the big productions, those performed by the big opera company, would have an orchestra. And the sound of what practically is a symphony orchestra (with a somewhat smaller string section) is overwhelming when played live. The music fills you from every angle, and it makes your every muscle vibrate.
Of course not to forget the chorus. Fifty, sixty, seventy, or more professional singers in tune and in symmetry can practically blow you off your seat…
On top of all this, there are the singers… The soloists. And that’s where I come in.