I know there are wonderful artisans who work in TV and film, but nothing, NOTHING will ever replace for me the wonder of seeing actors or singers standing in front of something hand made, hand painted. It's the same distinction opera has as being a work of art created entirely by people--no microphones, no post-production sweetening. The sheer feat of creating that glorious, huge, irrational sound (not to mention all that pitch and diction jazz) is so rare in our digital world. Analog art of any kind will only become more special, I think, as it becomes more rare. 
These are the signs that will decorate downtown Titipu--in our production a suburb of Tokyo.It was a big day overall, though. First Day of Staging! We blocked and choreographed the first three numbers of the show--from "Gentlemen of Japan" through Pish-Tush's song. The men's chorus has set a very high standard for the rest of the piece. It is a real marathon, this stretch and the lads tackled it with verve and good will. Lots of pressure as well to set up the world and style of the piece.
One thing that struck me today was how often the chorus corrects the audience in their first number--"You're wrong if you think it ain't" and "If that's your idea you're wrong." A very haughty and aggressive way to start an opera, indeed!
Tomorrow we continue staging the first several numbers,and we finally get to meet the ladies of the chorus! Very exciting.
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