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| VO Company Manager Adrianne Wurz [Photo by Tim Matheson] |
With her office literally situated right next to the rehearsal studio, Adrianne works directly with all the people involved in the artistic department of every production. She gleefully admits that she’s had to manage everything from arranging babysitters to dealing with immigration issues. Her work is a lot of logistics and scheduling. But it’s very important stuff as she’s the one that makes sure that every member of the chorus, orchestra, and music staff knows when and where to go.
F: How many people
are going to be onstage for Aida?
A: It’s going to be the largest number of supers we’ve ever
had at forty. There’ll be sixty people in the chorus and sixty people in the
orchestra. Plus six principal actors. Plus the creative team. It’s going to be
a massive production.
F: What exactly are
supers and what role do they play?
A: Super is short for supernumerary actor. In Aida, they fill out the crowd scenes and
act as priests, priestesses, slaves, guards, soldiers, the Egyptian populace,
and their Ethiopian prisoners. They assist in bringing props in or moving
characters. They are not, however allowed to do any singing or speaking – their
parts are silent. Sometimes supers can come in, get killed after the first five
minutes then go home. [laughs] What people mostly remember about Aida is the Triumphal March scene and
the supers are really important for that scene.
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| Photo courtesy of L'Opera de Quebec |
F: Speaking of the
Triumphal March, any surprises in store this year?
A: Last time we had a horse. Big arena productions often
have live animals but we won’t have anything like that. No elephants or tigers!
We’re working on something, but yes, that’ll be a surprise.
F: How many times has
Vancouver Opera done Aida before?
What excites you about this upcoming production?
A: This is going to be our fifth [production of] Aida. It's the second one I've done with the company. A lot of the cast is new to us but
they’re really solid. We also have ten classically trained ballet dancers. I’ve
just seen photos of the set and it looks phenomenal.
Aida is very grand
but it’s also quite an intimate piece. It’s got beautiful music, a good story,
and lots of pageantry and ceremony. But it’s also got lots of intimate moments.
Near the end when *spoiler alert* Radames and Aida go into the town for their
punishment, and Amneris is outside singing “Pace,
pace” which means “Peace.” It’s just a really beautiful moment.
 |
| Photo courtesy of L'Opera de Quebec |
F: So this season is
full of tragic love stories… does the upcoming [The] Barber of Seville fall under the same category?
A: No, Barber of
Seville is a comedy. It’s a romantic comedy where the Count Almaviva
disguises himself to pursue the hand of Rosina. And nobody dies! [laughs]
So this season is all about love. It’s definitely a lot different
from the year when it was all about hell. [laughs]
Plus, YOU can be a
part of the upcoming production of Aida! Vancouver Opera is currently on
the lookout for men to serve as supers for the duration of this production.
Rehearsals start late March and attendance at every rehearsal and performance
date is mandatory. Your time will be compensated for the show. Individuals interested
in this opportunity can email Adrianne Wurz directly at awurz@vancouveropera.ca.
Rehearsals March 30 (7-10pm), April 3 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 (7-10pm)
Tech Rehearsals April 16 (5:30-11pm) 17 18 (6-10:30pm)
Dress Rehearsal April 19 (6-10:45pm)
Performances April 21 24 26 28 and May 1 3
And on that note… looks like I’ll be onstage for Aida myself! You’ll definitely be
hearing more on this show from me.
March 17 -25th, 2012
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Tickets via Vancouver Opera
April 21 – May 3rd, 2012
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Posted by Filipina Colada
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