| Who is Who in Opera | ||||||
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It takes hundreds of people to produce the performance you are about to enjoy, from administrators to carpenters to cellists. Here are just a few of the titles you may encounter in your opera program book, with a brief explanation of what they do. The buck stops here, at the desk of the GENERAL DIRECTOR. Fund-raising, balancing budgets, negotiating union contracts, strategic planning, public speaking and casting the final vote on nearly every aspect of company business is the arduous and exhilarating lot of the head of The Dallas Opera. Control of what you see and hear onstage is the combined task of the CONDUCTOR, who directs the orchestra, chorus and singers in their musical performance and the STAGE DIRECTOR, who supervises the blocking, staging and dramatic aspects of the presentation. However, it is the CHORUS MASTER who does the work of preparing the members of the chorus for their important contribution to the overall performance. MUSICAL PREPARATION COACHES prepare the principal singers on their roles (from the piano) during the early rehearsal stage. SUPERNUMERARIES or “Supers” as they are commonly known, are the non-singing performers on stage who make individual cameo appearances or are part of a crowd. Supers may be selected on their ability to fit into a particular costume! The CHOREOGRAPHER creates dances and movement for a production. DESIGNERS are largely responsible for the look of the entire production, from the sets and costumes to the lighting design. |
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