JOHN MOSTYN'S OPERA DIARY

16-10-2007

What's this? Legendary Brummie music promoter John Mostyn joining the opera? You bet. He's part of the chorus for the Birmingham Opera Company's La Traviata at the NIA next weekend. And he's graciously agreed to share his experience with us.

Just 9 days to go to the first night on the 25th and rehearsals step up several notches. Last night, Tuesday, Wednesday evening this coming week with 200 singers in the chorus at one venue and 60 actors at another.

Saturday will be the first time we all 260 of us see each other in the NIA but I'm in an odd position of having sung with the chorus - in my fashion and am now acting with the actors but before I explain that, the numbers alone just have to be embraced here for a moment.

That's 260 now finely tuned local singers and actors plus the incredible professional singers from around the world, I think there's about 8 of them, then the whole of the CBSO who we hear for the first time at the NIA next Sunday, then the dancers, I think around 20 of them, we'll see them for the first time on Wednesday. I promise, this is big.

As well as big it's also very personal. A lot of folk doing stuff they never dreamed they'd do, stretching themselves to the max, a lot of friendships being made, skills being learned and smiles being shared.

I'm almost reluctant to share what I have to get up to amongst the actors but there are moments in rehearsal now when I'm surrounded by some of the best voices in the world and certainly the best I've ever been in close proximity to.

I'd volunteered for the chorus, I thought I'd be tucked in amongst the second basses but a shortage of men with gravitas - that's how it was put to me, meant that I was invited to try out in the acting workshops.

I was sorry to leave the chorus, blimey it was really focused work for a month but when it came together with that number of voices in amazing harmony it was an experience that will stay with me forever. I sing a bit but the joy of being amongst 200 people who all sing better than I do was bliss.

The acting brings a whole other vocal thrill when within inches of the pro singers, I really thought I knew what the human voice could do but these people have redefined my view, they are the Olympians of the vocal world but they have passion and warmth and humour.

Ron the choreographer - who spookily reminds me of Roy Scheider in All That Jazz - puts the acting core and pro singers through 45 minute aerobic warm ups every rehearsal before 3 hours physical work which is why, having just finished tonight's rehearsal, I'm off to get some rest before tomorrow's when the whole darn thing is going to weave it's magic again.

The Birmingham Opera Company, it really does what it says on the tin: click here

La Traviata details: click here

A couple of hints at what's to come via youtube here: click here