sitzprobe

plural sitzprobes · alternative Sitzprobe

1. The first run-through of an opera or musical in which the orchestra and singers rehearse together, covering only those portions of the piece in which the orchestra plays, and in which the singers sit or stand at microphones, but do not block out any action.

   It was a sitzprobe and the music was just popping up out of the pit – I was sitting right behind him – and he was having a ball.

   2015, Nigel Simeone, John Tyrrell, Charles Mackerras, page 126

   2 more examples

   However, something happens with almost every musical that puts the cast on edge, when the cast takes the stage for the sitzprobe or wandelprobe.

   2012, Shannon Slaton, Mixing a Musical: Broadway Theatrical Sound Mixing Techniques

   During the sitzprobe the actors will usually stand in front of microphones and sing through the entire show, omitting any unaccompanied sections of dialogue. However, any spoken passages which are underscored with music will also need to be rehearsed.

   2019, Matthew White, Staging Musicals: An Essential Guide, page 171

plural Sitzprobes

1. alternativeAlternative form of sitzprobe.

   I'm still feeling absolutely wrung out after listening to the Sitzprobe rehearsal today.

   2013, Carole Matthews, Welcome to the Real World

   2 more examples

   Singing at the Sitzprobe is something that will help lift his spirits. I'm glad they let him.

   2014, Jeffry Denman, A Year with the Producers: One Actor's Exhausting (But Worth It) Journey From Cats To Mel Brooks' Mega-hit

   Composed in a kind of atonal tonality, Don Juan Triumphant stumps and angers the singers at a Sitzprobe till the rehearsal keyboard suddenly breaks into the music by itself and the spellbound singers perform the score like robots ready for Metropolis.

   2015, Ethan Mordden, The Happiest Corpse I've Ever Seen, page 82