Slept well and spent the morning doing the usual computer business. Played a few games of backgammon and got my score up a little better. Also played a typing game, which is meant to improve your typing speed, though after a while I definitely got worse not better.
My husband and I had chilli before going into the piano technical rehearsal....always a long and tiring rehearsal, so knew I would need sustanance.
As this was the first time for wigs, costume and make-up, things were a little hectic backstage. I use my own hair for the prologue, where my character is the Prima Donna. James, who is in charge of wigs and make-up, did a great job back-combing my hair and getting it as big as possible, then doing a great 'diva' make-up. My costume is very Liz Taylor in the 80's...leopard print blouse and pointy, high-heel boots..not easy to walk in but look great. It was very funny to see people's reaction to me, as I looked so different from how I normally look in rehearsal. The prologue went well, though it's very complicated with so many entraces and exits, and the distances on stage are all different from the rehearsal room, so it was a little stressful. I have to do a big quick change, from my 'day wear' to the opera costume. As it's a laced up full 18th century dress, this is not easy to do in the 9 minutes we have. My dresser, Pat, was great though and we manged with almsot a full minute to spare. There is a quick change booth set up at the side of the stage, but its by the door leading to the front of house. One gentleman working backstage got quite a shock when he walked through the door to find a lady changing! You have to lose most inhibitions in this business, though I did ask for a sign to be put on the door in future.
After the break when the set was changed we just did various technical parts of the opera. In this kind of rehearsal, the stage crew need to rehearse when they have to change the set or put something on or off. We also rehearsed the fireworks for the first time, which was interesting to see. I spent most of the time standing around or sitting on a rock, as I am not involved in most of the set changes in the opera. But all went well, and after 5 hrs, we were released.
I decided that it would be best not to leave in full 'diva' make-up, so it took a while to wash my face and make my hair look respectable after being under a wig.
Stopped for soup and a salad then back to the apartment around 12-30am for a little TV and then very ready for bed.