Our first dress rehearsal with orchestra took place Wednesday — over 30 instrumentalists vs 45 or so in the choir. If we all played / sang at once I'm sure the choir wouldn't be heard. However, Brahms skillfully orchestrated his works so as to not obscure the singing. Marcato singing on occasion and attention to consonants also help. The venue at St. Anne's, a domed church, has a lovely acoustic and a “whisper gallery” effect. The director complained about us basses being too loud; however, as we could hear his instructions from across the chancel and the orchestra as if he were standing next to us I believe he heard our singing as if we were standing next to him.

So I'm taking the day off to get a few things done before our second dress rehearsal tonight. Getting up at 6:20 am, working all day and then standing and singing for more than two hours is just a bit too much for body and voice. I'm going to where more comfortable shoes, too. All of the Brahms music program is a challenge but especially Gesang der Parzen, in six parts, with only 3 of us baritones (the fourth guy was ill on Wednesday) on one part. One has to be careful not to “blow the pipes” by singing too loudly especially on pitches that are high in your range.