“Acting and interpretation”

Acting for singers? Opera directors tend to be first and foremost logistic managers. And no wonder: between the lights, sets, score, choreography and the endless discussions with the management of the opera house there just seems to remain very little time to tend to the actors/singers. And the time that is there will usually mostly be spent in blocking scenes and arias.

Therefore the director counts heavily on the self reliance of the performer. But it is that selfsame opera-performer that has had very little training in the realm of drama. This makes often frustrated directors, desperate singers and stilted performances. And more and more stage-directors cast singers that will offer more than only a heavenly voice.

True: becoming a expert actor will take years of diligent training.