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Many times when I am in the orchestra pit audience members will stop by and look inside.
Sometimes – from the musician perspective – it can feel a little bit like being a monkey in a zoo. Musicians accustomed to staged performance can practice in peace, without being stared or waved at. In a pit, it is not that way. People are looking at and watching you from higher ground.
From the audience perspective, visiting the pit is an inside look into the makings of the production. It is a peek behind-the-curtain, a backstage pass.
Whoa! What’s that instrument? Look at that guy…
From a new article I posted over at the Arizona Opera Orchestra Musicians Association (AZOOMA) site, Why is it so dark down there? –
Upon first approach a visitor looking in will see a hot-bed of activity and lots of musical instruments. It can be an intimidating sight, something like a black hole full of busy bees.
The musicians are dressed all in black. They look serious and focused. Like an orchestra full of ninja.
Opera is different
At a symphony orchestra concert – where the orchestra is onstage and elevated – audience members tend to find their seats and stay put.
OK… maybe some wine in the lobby, but just one.
At the opera the orchestra is contained in a sunken black box, like a diorama on display. The audience wants to and can look inside.
At AZOOMA we are asking people to come on down.
- Why is it so dark down there?
An article about pit black, what it is for and how it might impose an artificial barrier.
