In His Own Words

Alexander Neef, General Director


9/17/2009

Butterfly on Stage

I am writing this after tonight's piano dress rehearsal of Madama Butterfly. A piano dress is a complete run of an opera in full costume, make-up and lighting, usually it is the last rehearsal where the director can make changes before the orchestra comes in and the conductor is in charge of the remaining stage rehearsals.

Many of you have probably seen our production by Brian Macdonald, but it is new to me and as we perform it at the Four Seasons Centre for the first time I have to say it looks as if the production—with its beautiful sets and costumes by Susan Benson—was designed for our new theatre. It's a perfect match.


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Posted by Alexander Neef / in Rehearsals / comments (0) / permalink

9/14/2009

Butterflies, Birds and Vocal Chords

As you know the COC's season is divided in what we call three "mini-seasons"; fall, winter and spring. There is a break between each of them, the longest between the spring and the fall. Going back into our opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, is great for all of us each time, but especially when everybody comes back from their summer break. As I have mentioned to you yesterday the orchestra was back today and when I arrived at the opera house they were already well into the first act of Madama Butterfly sounding as gorgeous as ever under the inspired leadership of Carlo Montanaro.


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Posted by Alexander Neef / in Rehearsals / comments (0) / permalink

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