The first BO

Last night we had our first Bühnenorchesterprobe, otherwise known as a BO in the German theater world. It's the first rehearsal on the stage with the orchestra. It always gets me excited about the piece. Suddenly you get to see the original intention of the music -- to bring life to a work through the magic of the stage. For me it's really the first time where we hear the work in three dimensions. We've rehearsed the piece with piano on the stage (including with costumes and makeup), and we've rehearsed the piece with orchestra off of the stage, and now it's time to start combining things. BO rehearsals are however without costumes and makeup, giving you the chance to really focus on connecting with the conductor and to discover how to find cues during important moments. It's especially challenging on a rotating stage, I'm discovering!

It's always a challenge for me during the last two weeks of a piece. It's a demanding period, and we have to find ways to dig deep. Energy is flagging, nerves are sometimes aggravated, and the household chores pile up. Taking care of oneself becomes crucial during this period!