Stunts

Stunts might look dangerous while they are protected by standard security procedures and safety mechanisms, – but that said, the stunts often are as dangerous as they appear to be.

The Savonlinna Opera cast in Olavinlinna was wondering, if there has ever been an action scene with a stunt double in an Opera before. This year in Savonlinna, there is a tiny bit, in the opening of an Act 1 of Tosca as Cesare Angelotti escapes the prison by descending the walls of Olavinlinna Castle.

Olavinlinna Castle

A summerjob stuntman

It took a phone call, – and I found myself sitting in Olavinlinna Castle and listening  one of the world’s best opera stage director Keith Warner setting and introducing an opening scene for Tosca. He had a vision of opening Tosca differently.

It is a quite an experience to get an inside look of an opera being made. I have seen a bit of coaching  and teaching instructing before, in competitive sports and teacher education, but opera directing is intense! Really intense.

A lot of practicing, rehearsing, – a huge amount of work for one production. Director, conductor, production director, stage and costumes designer, lighting designer, chorus master, technical manager, star soloists, …, and plus a lot more of people working together to make everything happen for the public, music enthusiasts.