Rehearsal Notes

La ci darem was very well executed.  The balance issues are not entirely the problems of either voice or orchestra.  Cox Auditorium is a terrible hall for soloists and the positioning of the shell makes it very difficult for the orchestra to not over power anyone standing in front.  After suggestions, there was some improvement in balance, but all that really can be done on the part of the singer is spin your legato out front as much as possible.

The Trio was very well done as well.  Balance was actually the best in this number.  

Sextet:  Extemely well done with a tempo that does not support the needs of the voice sufficiently.  Leporello: do not dot the rhythms on the word "tempo" in "ecco il tempo" before the key change.  The rhythm IS dotted at "cheto, cheto" because of the rhythmic inflection of the italian.  Elvira:  give a little more time to the "i" or "mio" at "E mio marito".  Moving too quickly to the "o" breaks the needed legato of this phrase and implies an unwanted accent.  The word "mio" can be treated as either a one or two syllable word.  Regardless of how you view it, we simply need a little more length on the 'i' so as not to disrupt the line.  Leporello:  once again, think crescendo when you have repeated pitches such as "perdon, perdono...".  Doing very with ascending line at "viver lasciatemi", but came off the tie much too soon both times.

"Dei! Leporello!":  Do not accent final syllable! It's being held too long and therefore not being shaped appropriately.  

During the finale at "che impensata novita" (m. 240), do not rush!  Listen to basses and celli, you're getting slightly ahead.