Caught up in the magic

I love going to rehearsals at Covent Garden. Today it was the turn of Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin" and the tickets I'd managed to get (for a fiver each) were right by the edge of the stage, overlooking the orchestra pit and next to the stalls.

This was the view. I could only grab a quick snap before it all started because photography is strictly forbidden (and they enforce it). The central part of the stalls, where the tickets are normally £185 or so each, is given over to the photographers. The clicks of their cameras are a constant backdrop and their work appears on press releases, programmes, opera archives and everywhere. They can't take such dedicated photos during the full performances when the public have paid the full amount. Serious long lenses, wide lenses, tripods etc.

The opera turned out to be one of the most impressive I have ever experienced. I had never seen it before, although I did know some of the music, such as Tatyana's letter scene. Ballet was used to mirror the main characters' emotions and it was a terrifically powerful approach.

Before it all started, Kasper Holten appeared, to remind us that as this was a brand new production, things might not entirely go according to plan. He also mentioned that the character playing Prince Gremin had been forbidden by his doctor to utter a note. He would appear, and go through the moves, but the role would be sung from the side. When he announced that Sir John Tomlinson was going to be the stand in, there was a huge cheer. And, the wonderful, elderly gentleman was given a special ovation.

Walking on air, we went for an Italian meal afterwards, at a lovely little place in Endell Street.

And I'm still running through the magic in my mind......