POH - Post-opera High

Written by Ariel Pisturino 11/26/2008

Looking back on the semester, I don’t know how I lived through going to class, working, and spending five hours a day in opera rehearsal. I know I must have felt on the verge of insanity, but now that
The Rape of Lucretia is over I find myself getting to school early so I can check the opera board. When four o’ clock rolls around I find myself instinctively packing up my things to head to rehearsal. I miss family dinners. I feel uncomfortable with the sudden abundance of free time. I have to do homework now instead of opera? That does not sound fun at all. I believe I am suffering from a syndrome I am deeming post-opera high or POH, the let down after the show is over. It is a sad occurrence, but a performer must always move forward.

The Rape of Lucretia is truly a masterpiece. It is an opera of difficult music combined with complex characters, and it was a very satisfying experience.

I played the role of Bianca an older Italian woman, the head servant of a politically powerful house, and mother figure to Lucretia. Honestly I did not understand the character at first. My first concern was the difficult music. I had nothing to relate with the character; my Italian grandparents both died before I was born. I am only twenty-four years old, and Bianca is at a menopausal age (another aspect I did not relate with). All I could think of was the mother on the T.V. show Everybody Loves Raymond. The musical aspect aside, I needed to get into the head of Bianca. Ken and Brent both helped me to understand each phrase she says in the opera. I researched the symptoms and changes of menopause, Elizabeth Hynes thought this was hilarious, and I thought about how to apply this to the character. I needed to think about what is Bianca like when she is alone, the obsession with Lucretia, and her relationship with Lucia? Based on the libretto, Ken and I made a background for her to add some depth to the character and also to help me develop Bianca.

It was very difficult. I had to put many hours into thinking about Bianca’s movements. In every rehearsal I discovered something new about her. It was great to realize that she is more then some character on a T.V. show, Bianca represents a generation of women. She symbolizes older women everywhere and all of the trials and tribulations and every feeling in between that they must face. By the time we began dress rehearsals, I finally understood Bianca. Ken and Brent were both open to questions, suggestions, and ideas that helped me to develop this character.

I felt like we were all a team focused on one central goal. The cast was supportive, and we frequently talked about our characters together outside of rehearsals. Even with my cover I felt that we were partners in learning the music and the character. I believe this is why the show turned out so great, because we all wanted this opera to have a meaning for the audience. I am not so sure we could have pulled off such an effective show if it had been double cast.

I am so proud of myself and all the other cast members. I had an amazing experience. The applause at the end of the show made the work worth it.

Thank you to Ken and Brent and everyone else for letting me be part of this production. I wish you all luck with Don Giovanni in the spring.

Ariel Pisturino is a Masters of Vocal Arts student at the USC Thornton School of Music.