主持:Joanna C. Lee 編譯:辛?xí)r雨
不止后臺(tái)
創(chuàng)樂(lè)者交響樂(lè)團(tuán)組織的《女武神》講座活動(dòng)(圖:吳詠翰)
小瓊:
幾天前,我有機(jī)會(huì)參觀了新加坡濱海藝術(shù)中心的后臺(tái)區(qū)域。其實(shí)這不是我的特權(quán)——每位希望多了解創(chuàng)樂(lè)者交響樂(lè)團(tuán)版本的《女武神》的公眾,都可以報(bào)名參加。小薇:
我聽(tīng)說(shuō)演出前一天,創(chuàng)樂(lè)者交響樂(lè)團(tuán)組織了整個(gè)下午的活動(dòng),目的是讓觀眾做更好的準(zhǔn)備,更深入地欣賞瓦格納的《女武神》。無(wú)論如何,這是新加坡觀眾首次可以在現(xiàn)場(chǎng)體驗(yàn)這部經(jīng)典樂(lè)劇的機(jī)會(huì)。小瓊:
1月4日活動(dòng)當(dāng)天,你可以旁聽(tīng)介紹瓦格納音樂(lè)語(yǔ)言或探究樂(lè)劇故事神話根源的講座,之后就是我先前提到的后臺(tái)之旅。最后大家更可以觀賞一小時(shí)的彩排,親眼看見(jiàn)樂(lè)團(tuán)的樂(lè)手、歌唱家和技術(shù)人員工作的過(guò)程。24小時(shí)之后便是《女武神》正式的新加坡首演了。小薇:
這些確實(shí)是獨(dú)特的體驗(yàn),令人大開(kāi)眼界。在看到了制作人員在幾乎空曠的劇院里四處奔走,見(jiàn)證了舞臺(tái)監(jiān)督的細(xì)致入微后,才能更好地欣賞這來(lái)之不易的作品。小瓊:
我非常同意。當(dāng)我們走進(jìn)劇場(chǎng)看正式演出的時(shí)候,所有的這些準(zhǔn)備工作已經(jīng)在我們眼前隱藏起來(lái)了。比方說(shuō),當(dāng)幕布拉開(kāi),諸如燈光細(xì)節(jié)、道具的精確擺放、群眾演員在舞臺(tái)上的站位還有特定的舞臺(tái)提示等諸如此類(lèi)的技術(shù)考量,都早已確定下來(lái)了。上、下:創(chuàng)樂(lè)者交響樂(lè)團(tuán)版本的《女武神》現(xiàn)場(chǎng)(圖:許智勇)
小薇:
你一定很興奮吧,這幾乎算是參與到劇組的工作過(guò)程當(dāng)中了——或者至少可以說(shuō),能夠在專業(yè)歌劇工作者外的人員進(jìn)劇場(chǎng)前率先看到些什么。小瓊:
你會(huì)更加注意觀察周?chē)募?xì)節(jié),畢竟體會(huì)到了工作人員對(duì)他們工作的專業(yè)投入。大都會(huì)歌劇院(像許多頂級(jí)歌劇院一樣),對(duì)待其彩排很?chē)?yán)肅,甚至要求中場(chǎng)休息的時(shí)長(zhǎng)和正式演出時(shí)完全一致,畢竟在排練期間能用正式演出的同等時(shí)長(zhǎng)完成更換服裝、修補(bǔ)妝面、移動(dòng)舞臺(tái)裝置等工作,對(duì)臺(tái)上臺(tái)下的每個(gè)人都很重要。上、下:創(chuàng)樂(lè)者交響樂(lè)團(tuán)版本的《女武神》現(xiàn)場(chǎng)(圖:許智勇)
小薇:
在新加坡,他們甚至給來(lái)觀看彩排的觀眾分發(fā)了節(jié)目?jī)?cè),所以大家可以有一整天的時(shí)間來(lái)研讀其中的文章以了解信息。真的,之前從沒(méi)有人能有時(shí)間在場(chǎng)燈暗下之前坐下來(lái)好好把節(jié)目?jī)?cè)上的注解讀完。這種做法給了大家一個(gè)先機(jī)。Joan:
Just the other day, I was offered a chance to tour the backstage of Singapore’s Esplanade—Theatres by the Bay. Actually, it wasn’t just me—anyone who wanted to learn more about the Orchestra of Music Makers’ production ofDie Walküre
could sign up.Valery:
I did hear about a whole afternoon of activities organized to prepare audience members the day before the performance. After all, this was the first chance Singapore audiences would have to experience this classic Wagnerian music-drama performed live!Joan:
On January 4, you could attend lectures introducing Wagner’s musical language and the story’s mythological roots. After that came the exclusive backstage visit I mentioned. To cap it off,you also could attend an hour of the dress rehearsal and see the musicians, singers and technical staff in action. Then, 24 hours later, cameDie Walküre
’s actual Singapore premiere.Valery:
These are really unique experiences, eyeopening in every way. By seeing the production staffrunning around a nearly empty theatre, witnessing how meticulous stage managers have to be, you can appreciate the results even more.Joan:
I do agree. When we see a public performance,all of these preparations are already hidden from us.For example, by the time the curtain finally comes up, technical considerations such as lighting details,precise placement of props, spotting in crowd scenes and specific stage cues have all been fixed.Valery:
You must feel a sense of excitement becoming almost part of the working process—or at least being able to see something before the rest of the opera world is allowed to enter the house.Joan:
You pay even more attention to the details around you, since you see the care that the production staff puts into their work. The Metropolitan Opera (like many top-tier opera houses) takes its dress rehearsals very seriously, even keeping intermissions the same length as in the actual performance, since moving within the same amount of time to change costumes,fix makeup and move sets is important for everyone on and off stage in “going through the process.”Valery:
In Singapore, they even gave out program books for the dress rehearsal, so audience members could have a whole day to read the informative articles. Really, no one ever has the time to sit and read program notes before the lights go down. This gave people a head start!