I used to conduct the last opera in Berlin on Sunday, get on a plane on Monday to Chicago, and start a rehearsal that same night, if it was a performance week.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I've been onstage once for one performance with four days' rehearsal.
The performances of my works in the last 10 years are probably equal to all the previous years put together. There are so many venues now and there is a completely new public for opera that's grown up outside of the traditional core opera public.
I saw a lot of operas from backstage and watched a lot of rehearsals - my parents were singers.
I did a concert... in September with the Berlin Philharmonic... They're great musicians, and there's always something to learn from them.
On the last day of our five-day work week, we did two performances and we had an audience. It was similar to theatre; we went from beginning to end, and it was very pleasing.
Next time I do a play, I want to go out of town. I don't like the idea of opening in New York. I don't have to do theatre, but if you're going to do it, you should do it well. These days, everything has to be up and running in five minutes. As a result, the rehearsal time is missing.
I used to perform all the time but I haven't performed in New York in a very long time.
I love to conduct opera.
I've never been to the opera; I've only seen opera on DVD.
I don't rehearse films as much as opera or theatre. When I began directing films I thought a long rehearsal was a good idea. Experience showed me that the best performance was often left in a rehearsal room.