On 2 November 2016, the Performing Arts Medicine MSc students and their
Course Director Dr Michael Shipley visited the rehearsal of Lulu by the
English National Opera and spent a whole afternoon experiencing the
London Coliseum setting and talking to the ENO musicians.
Lisa Brachfeld, an athletic trainer from the USA, who is currently
studying for the MSc in Performing Arts Medicine at UCL shares her
expeience:
"Having the opportunity to visit the English National Opera for the dress rehearsal of Lulu was amazing. We got to see all of the hard work that goes in to putting on a performance of this calibre. Afterwards, we talked to the Orchestra Manager, a double bassist, and a horn player about their roles in the orchestra.
As a Performing Arts Medicine Specialist, it is important to learn as much as possible about the various health risks musicians face, such as the lack of space, volume, dust, and temperature. We also got to go into the pit and see first hand what the orchestra musicians experience."
We are grateful to Richard Meads, ENO Orchestra Manager, John Thurgood, ENO horn player and William Bruce, ENO cellist for their hospitality and their time.