Covering a role....
Well, we had a little fun this last weekend. It's been a whirlwind. On Friday, I was asked to cover the role of Cherubino in "Figaro". It's quite funny, the other two women's roles, I basically know them, but this one not so much. It is what's called in opera lingo a "Pants Role". So, the part is that of a young page boy and in order to get that young boy sound without a cracking voice, many composers wrote these types of roles for women with lower voices, or mezzo sopranos. Originally they were written for castrati, or castrated men that also wouldn't have a voice that cracked, but we can see why THAT won't happen anymore!
Anyway, I spent most of the weekend having dreams about the arias and many camera shots that involved with this character. The show is very multi media and my dreams came to me that way. I saw the Italian words on a HUGE screen, but it was in the form of Mad Libs. (They are fun games that have a story with certain words missing, and in the blank it will say "noun" or "verb" etc.) Well imagine my surprise when that is how the arias would appear and I had to try to fill in the blanks of the words of the aria I didn't know. I had a few sleepless nights, to say the least!
The day I was asked, I went right to work and wrote out all the pieces just to help with memorization. I know how the melodies go, I just never learned the words. It's been pretty fun to test my memorization abilities.
I am still unsure what all this means. I am not sure if i will go on for sure or if it's just in an emergency situation or what. I DO know that if and when I perform, I will have the most RIDICULOUS costume and make up changes EVER! I will start off the show as a young boy with a small mustache, and then change for the last part of Act 1 and the first part of Act 2 to an extremely old lady with a wig, and wrinkly make up and go and sit in a wheel chair. i'll have no time to worry about anything, THAT'S for sure!
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