We took it up a notch with tonight’s “Magic Flute” rehearsal -our second to last rehearsal – which was by far our best run- through yet. Our cast seemed to achieve that fantastic sense of “flow” in which they’re working hard yet so secure that it doesn’t even look or feel like work. Another way to put it is that they’re starting to handle all of the little details so well that the overall performance has gained a natural ease that is so essential for a piece like this to work.
One thing which seemed to create some extra excitement amongst the cast was when they arrived in Siebert Chapel to find me seated not only at the Steinway grand piano, but also at a Roland electronic keyboard which I borrowed from fellow voice teacher Amy Haines. The reason I am using the electronic keyboard is so I can produce three special sounds that are essential to bringing this story fully alive. . . Tamino’s magic flute, Papageno’s magic bells, and finally the sound of thunder, which is especially helpful for this particular production, which is not exactly a special effects cavalcade. It’s incredible how the authentic sound of thunder can really lend some grandeur to certain crucial entrances and exits that ideally would be done in a great plume of smoke or flame- but for us are basically people walking in and out of the room.
For those of you who have never seen how sound effects work on a keyboard, you press a couple of buttons to switch from musical sounds to special effects- and once you’ve done that, each key of the keyboard produces a different sound effect. . . everything from a telephone ringing to a dog barking to water running. . . to a dynamite blast. . . to crickets chirping. I need to make sure I press the high A-flat key or I might end up producing the sound of a rooster crowing when it’s frightening thunder that we need.
Actually, the thunder part is not all that hard- what are trickier are the music passages where I am playing the right hand melody on the electronic keyboard and the left hand of the accompaniment over on the real piano. That feels weird- a little like that simple trick where you pat the top of your head while rubbing your stomach in a circular fashion. I’m not too good at that – or even walking and chewing gum at the same time – but I do seem to have a knack for playing two keyboards at the same time. (If The Doors ever get back together but Ray Manzanek doesn’t feel like handling the keyboards, I’m available!)
Probably the thing which is hardest for me to remember is that when I play the thunder, I have to turn the volume up to about 80% – but when it’s time to play the flute or the bells, I need to turn it back down to about 20% or I’m likely to deafen everyone in the first two rows of the audience- and since that’s where President Campbell is likely to be sitting, a misstep like that would be especially unfortunate! So wish me luck that I remember to watch my volume levels – and that I don’t hit any terrible clunkers – or press the wrong button and end up with sitar or accordian when it’s celesta that I want! If I can avoid any and all of those potential pitfalls, I think I’ll be okay!
So will the show. We have a gifted cast who have been working hard. . . and I am hoping that the audience will be willing to take a chance on a production that takes this beloved story and transplants it to modern day Wisconsin. The costumes and props basically all came from the students and their own closets – which gives all this a real “hey, let’s put on a show!” sort of feeling , which I think is what stage director Matt Boresi had in mind. And I think that’s one reason why our cast seems to have taken ownership of this production in an exceptional way. And I can’t think of anything more profoundly beneficial for our young singers than to know that they helped to create this show in a very real and tangible way. It was not just handed to them. They have helped make this happen.
So come if you can and see our whimsical take on The Magic Flute. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights, 7:30, in Siebert Chapel. Admission is free. I can promise you a fun time and some fine music-making. And if nothing else, you’ll be entertained just watching me try to keep my score from flopping closed while conducting the singers and playing Mozart’s score. And if I press the wrong key and you suddenly hear the sound of a toilet flushing where there should be awe-inspiring thunder, Hey that’s Entertainment!
pictured above: practicing with the Steinway grand piano and the Roland electronic keyboard.