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Julie Grauert's Rigoletto Blog
Julie Grauert's Final "Rigoletto" Blog
Fri 10:43pm
Even thought I've been up for almost 24 straight hours (the 2am-10am shift makes for very long days!) it was totally worth it!The third act tragically wrapped up a show that was fascinating in its content and performance. Even though I was unfamiliar with the music (except for La Donna e Mobile, which most people will likely recognize) I still found the show entertaining and an overall enjoyable experience.I would recommend an opera to anyone looking to challenge their concept of stage performances and look beyond the toe-tapping tunes of Broadway shows. If you're like me, you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you find and will likely forward to your next chance to be in presence of such talented musicians.Time to start working on my Italian!Thanks for reading and see you at 4:30am on Monday!~jcgJulie Grauert blogs during the second intermission of Portland Opera's "Rigoletto"
Fri 9:47pm
It's a two for one deal at the opera, as in two intermissions for the price of one very striking show!The second act was a little shorter than the first but I can understand how Opera becomes an acquired taste... the longer I watch, the easier it is to follow as the voices and music continue to suck in pleased audiences (as apparent by the loud applause after each song).Quick note: Sarah Coburn- Rigoletto's daughter- is six months pregnant in real life! Besides a barely noticeable bump in her first act costume, you'd never be able to tell by the way she continues to belt out her parts.Back to the show!Julie Grauert blogs during the first intermission of Portland Opera's "Rigoletto"
Fri 8:55pm
Quick update on Rigoletto:Powerful voices are balanced by equally poignant music from the orchestra and so far the impressions of my first opera are nothing but positive. I'm finding the music and vocals entrancing and wish I spoke Italian so I didn't have to read the subtitles so often!According to my opera enthusiast date and Good Day Oregon producer extraordinaire Sara Gundell, this story line is less complex than others (thankfully!) and therefore relatively easy for me to follow (I only leaned over and asked Sara questions twice!).I was expecting more of a Disney-inspired Quasimodo vibe to the hunchback and protagonist Rigoletto but his performance doesn't need the cartoonish quality of Quasi to convey his frustrations and distress.Rigoletto's daughter Gilda is my favorite voice in the show and I look forward to seeing what happens after being put in a precarious situation at the end of Act I.Back to the show... more to come!~jcgJulie Grauert blogs about her first opera experience at Portland Opera's "Rigoletto"
Fri 7:25pm
So... where to begin?In my inaugural blog for my inaugural opera, the word of the hour is OVERWHELMED!Director of Production (and Opera guru) Laura Hassell just gave us a sneak peak backstage... and we had a chance to see to gigantic set up close and bombard her with questions like:Are the performers local?
- Most of the chorus is local (25 men in this production) but the six principals are from all over the country (and in other shows, around the world).How long does it take to set up the stage?
- About two days... and when you see the size of it you'll understand why. Laura said that one of the biggest challenges of this opera was dealing with the set because of its gigantic proportions.Who is conducting this show?
- George Manahan is the Music Director of the New York City Opera and was hired to conduct this show. He is also doing two upcoming shows for Portland Opera next season.Are there pre-show superstitions?
TBA!COOL FACTS:
- Opera singer DON'T WEAR MICROPHONES so it's all about PROJECTION!
- Most of the principal singers speak at least conversational Italian.
- Portland Opera hires everyone and produces the entire show in about three weeks, as opposed to Broadway shows that are self-contained units that sweep in and out of town as a touring company.
- The actor who plays Rigoletto- Mark Rucker- has performed this role 400 times! No exaggeration!
- Sarah Coburn, who plays Rigoletto's daughter Gilda, is supposed to be one of the most talented sopranos to sing on this stage.
It's 7:24... better head to our seats... see you at intermission!~jcg
Fri 10:43pm
Even thought I've been up for almost 24 straight hours (the 2am-10am shift makes for very long days!) it was totally worth it!The third act tragically wrapped up a show that was fascinating in its content and performance. Even though I was unfamiliar with the music (except for La Donna e Mobile, which most people will likely recognize) I still found the show entertaining and an overall enjoyable experience.I would recommend an opera to anyone looking to challenge their concept of stage performances and look beyond the toe-tapping tunes of Broadway shows. If you're like me, you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you find and will likely forward to your next chance to be in presence of such talented musicians.Time to start working on my Italian!Thanks for reading and see you at 4:30am on Monday!~jcgJulie Grauert blogs during the second intermission of Portland Opera's "Rigoletto"
Fri 9:47pm
It's a two for one deal at the opera, as in two intermissions for the price of one very striking show!The second act was a little shorter than the first but I can understand how Opera becomes an acquired taste... the longer I watch, the easier it is to follow as the voices and music continue to suck in pleased audiences (as apparent by the loud applause after each song).Quick note: Sarah Coburn- Rigoletto's daughter- is six months pregnant in real life! Besides a barely noticeable bump in her first act costume, you'd never be able to tell by the way she continues to belt out her parts.Back to the show!Julie Grauert blogs during the first intermission of Portland Opera's "Rigoletto"
Fri 8:55pm
Quick update on Rigoletto:Powerful voices are balanced by equally poignant music from the orchestra and so far the impressions of my first opera are nothing but positive. I'm finding the music and vocals entrancing and wish I spoke Italian so I didn't have to read the subtitles so often!According to my opera enthusiast date and Good Day Oregon producer extraordinaire Sara Gundell, this story line is less complex than others (thankfully!) and therefore relatively easy for me to follow (I only leaned over and asked Sara questions twice!).I was expecting more of a Disney-inspired Quasimodo vibe to the hunchback and protagonist Rigoletto but his performance doesn't need the cartoonish quality of Quasi to convey his frustrations and distress.Rigoletto's daughter Gilda is my favorite voice in the show and I look forward to seeing what happens after being put in a precarious situation at the end of Act I.Back to the show... more to come!~jcgJulie Grauert blogs about her first opera experience at Portland Opera's "Rigoletto"
Fri 7:25pm
So... where to begin?In my inaugural blog for my inaugural opera, the word of the hour is OVERWHELMED!Director of Production (and Opera guru) Laura Hassell just gave us a sneak peak backstage... and we had a chance to see to gigantic set up close and bombard her with questions like:Are the performers local?
- Most of the chorus is local (25 men in this production) but the six principals are from all over the country (and in other shows, around the world).How long does it take to set up the stage?
- About two days... and when you see the size of it you'll understand why. Laura said that one of the biggest challenges of this opera was dealing with the set because of its gigantic proportions.Who is conducting this show?
- George Manahan is the Music Director of the New York City Opera and was hired to conduct this show. He is also doing two upcoming shows for Portland Opera next season.Are there pre-show superstitions?
TBA!COOL FACTS:
- Opera singer DON'T WEAR MICROPHONES so it's all about PROJECTION!
- Most of the principal singers speak at least conversational Italian.
- Portland Opera hires everyone and produces the entire show in about three weeks, as opposed to Broadway shows that are self-contained units that sweep in and out of town as a touring company.
- The actor who plays Rigoletto- Mark Rucker- has performed this role 400 times! No exaggeration!
- Sarah Coburn, who plays Rigoletto's daughter Gilda, is supposed to be one of the most talented sopranos to sing on this stage.
It's 7:24... better head to our seats... see you at intermission!~jcg
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