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Eugene Onegin Gallery – The Chorus Act II

We have another review! And some comments from participants: My only regret about playing the cello in Eugene Onegin was that it was impossible to watch any of it at the same time! I tried once, during the third performance, and very nearly lost my place. I suppose it was a case of not being able to make the cake AND…
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Eugene Onegin – final performance 17th July 2011

I am in a really bad mood when we arrive at the Halls, seriously grumpy, even another review isn’t enough to cheer me up. But by the time I’ve got into my costume for act I, been re-introduced to the man who taught me maths when I was 12, and helped wrap a dozen bottles…
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Eugene Onegin – Third night – 15th July 2011

I’ve realised that the reason my post for the 2nd night was so short was that I was completely bowled over by what a good night it was, and I was just revelling in the glow. Nick had come up and told us that he didn’t allow sliding or regression and we took him at…
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Eugene Onegin – second night – Wednesday 13th July 2011

And we have our first review!!! Also Tony Stewart our photographer has blogged about the process of photographing the opera, and said some very nice things about us. I’ve been reading the programme, conveniently left behind by our guests, and I am amazed at the first degrees, and indeed first careers our principals and soloists have…
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Eugene Onegin – 2nd Dress Rehearsal

Sunday: It’s interesting, having looked at Tony’s photos I’m more aware of how our ‘acting’ looks from the outside: who is doing a really good job, who relies on eye rolling and mugging, who doesn’t seem to be acting at all. Adapt our output regulators accordingly. A and I spend quite a lot of time (usually…
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Eugene Onegin – 1st Dress Rehearsal

Saturday afternoon: We bring Tony, the photographer, with us and arrive an hour early, and leave him in Rose’s care. I haul my three alternative jackets for Act III up to the changing room. It’s already hot and sweaty up in the recital room where we are changing into our Act I costumes. We are in…
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Eugene Onegin – 2nd full run through

Thursday: the second full run through, except it isn’t quite; we have the marvellous Duncan Robertson instead of the orchestra, and Nick Jenkins has to conduct us backstage for our first entrance, and then run back across stage to his podium… but we are missing Simon Marsh our lead peasant, so Nick has to sing us in; after a…
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Eugene Onegin – 1st full run through

Wednesday: and the orchestra and the children from Brooklands School are here for the first full run through. I’ve decided not to take any more pictures while we are working as I must concentrate, so today’s pictures are from earlier rehearsals! For our first entrance we start singing while still off stage, (ie crushed into…
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Eugene Onegin – Sitzprobe

One of my fellow chorus members kindly explained what sitzprobe actually means. I assumed it was some kind of abbreviation that was lost in the mists of time, but it turns out it’s German and means ‘sitting rehearsal’ not terribly accurate, but at any rate standing still rehearsal. Back in the Halls (hurrah) and I’m…
