Macbeth #Tweetfest comes to life!

On July 27, 2011, with the help of many talented tweeters, we live-tweeted Macbeth. If you missed it, you can read the entire piece below. Enjoy!

And many thanks again, to our tweeters! We delighted in your creativity.

Act 1, Scene 1 -- @NPAC Convention

#Macbeth. Act 1, Scene 1: Thunder, lightning. Enter three #witches.

The #witches discuss when they’ll meet again - Upon the heath. After the battle. Today. They’re going to meet #Macbeth.

The #witches, called by their mystic animals, say, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog & filthy air.” They exeunt.

Macbeth #Tweetfest

With the help of many friends, we will tweet Macbeth tomorrow!

Our rendition begins at 8am tomorrow and with a new scene every 30 minutes, we will complete the play just after 10pm. Follow along on Twitter and tell us what you think!

How would you tweet this?

Our Macbeth Tweet Fest is just around the corner. 

How about a sample to inspire our tweeters?

Maybe something like:

The witches hail Macbeth as thane of Glamis, thane of Cawdor, and the future king!  Is this really what the future will bring?

What form will your tweets take? 

Sign up with marketing@blo.org or to tweet at scene with us!

Could Shakespeare Tweet?

We all know the Bard. We all know his prolific works, ranging from sonnets to comedy to tragedy. And this fall BLO premieres a new production of Verdi’s Macbeth, based on Shakespeare’s tragedy of the same name.

So, what if we prepared a bit for the big opening? In the opera world we frequently prepare English translations to help the audience follow along with the plot. Let’s put a modern spin on that concept and use Twitter to tell the story of Macbeth.

On July 27, we’ll tweet each scene from Shakespeare’s Macbeth in roughly 4-6 tweets, beginning a new scene every thirty minutes. We can’t do it alone. We need your help, brilliance and creativity!

We call for up to 28 volunteers – one to cover each of the 28 scenes in Shakespeare’s play. Don’t worry, we have a brief breakdown of each scene for your convenience.

How it works:
-      Interested parties email marketing@blo.org by Sunday July 17
-         We’ll assign sections to each participant
-         You’ll have one week to compose 4-6 tweets comprising the scene. No need to quote verbatim or write in iambic pentameter; in fact, please don’t! Give us the essence of the scene or highlight the best moment and do it in 140 characters or less. Maybe you’ll try the No Fear Shakespeare style and break it down in modern layman’s term; whatever your tack, we want it!
-         Email your completed tweets to marketing@blo.org by midnight on Monday, July 25
-         Tune in and follow @BostLyricOpera on July 27 for a day filled with witches, dark intentions and lust for power.

And just for fun: All participants will receive a special edition Macbeth t-shirt and an invitation to join us the following week (August 3) at the DCR Hatch Shell for our annual concert with Boston Landmarks Orchestra. After the concert we'll meet up around the corner at 75 Chestnut for drinks and appetizers!

Flex your twitterary muscles this summer!

Breaking Macbeth down into tweet-able bits!

Part 1: I.i.
Three witches get the story started.

Part 2: I.ii.

Post battle, Captain and soldiers alike praise Macbeth’s accomplishments and acknowledge him as the new Thane of Cawdor, however Macbeth is not present and not yet aware of his new title.

Part 3: I.iii.

The witches call Macbeth the Thane of Glamis (which he is), the Thane of Cawdor (which he is, but does not yet know), and the King of Scotland (which he is not yet). They tell Banquo that he will father a line of kings, but will not be one himself.

Part 4: I.iv.

Macbeth meets with King Duncan and receives his new title as the Thane of Cawdor.

Part 5: I.v.

Lady Macbeth reads the letter from Macbeth revealing his new title; she begins to plot the path to the throne.

Part 6: I.vi.

King Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle.

Part 7: I.vii.

Preparations for the feast at Macbeth’s castle honoring King Duncan begin; as does the Macbeth’s plot to overthrow Duncan.

Part 8: II.i.

Late in the evening; Banquo and Macbeth discuss Macbeth’s rising power.

Part 9: II.ii.

Macbeth murders Duncan, Lady Macbeth helps cover their tracks and Macbeth starts to worry about the repercussions.

Part 10: II.iii.

Macduff arrives the morning following Duncan’s murder and causes Macbeth to panic; Duncan’s body is discovered – panic ensues.

Part 11: II.iv.

Old Man and Ross discuss the news of Duncan’s death.

Part 12: III.i.

Macbeth plots to kill Banquo with the help of assassins.

Part 13: III.ii.           

Lady Macbeth and Macbeth fret over their recent actions.

Part 14: III.iii.

Banquo is murdered in a deserted area, but his son Fleance escapes.

Part 15: III.iv.

At the banquet at Macbeth’s home Macbeth receives notice of Banquo’s death. Macbeth believes he sees Banquo’s ghost while Lady Macbeth attempts to maintain order among the guests.

Part 16: III.v.          

Hecate and the three witches discuss Macbeth and his rise to power.

Part 17: III.vi.

Lennox and Lord discuss the recent spate of deaths.

Part 18: IV.i.

Macbeth meets up with the three witches and they make further prophecy that no man born of a woman shall harm Macbeth, beware Macduff and that he is safe until Byrnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill.

Part 19: IV.ii.

Lady Macduff receives false word her husband has died and is then attacked by the two assassins Macbeth hired.

Part 20: IV.iii.

Malcom and Macduff discuss recent events, feeling that much evil is afoot such as Macbeth’s greed for power. They receive news of uprising against Macbeth and are summoned to assist.

Part 21: V.i.

Doctor and Lady-In-Waiting stand witness as a sleepwalking Lady Macbeth confesses her crimes. Lady Macbeth later takes her own life.

Part 22: V.ii.

Macduff’s army, disguised with the branches of Byrnam wood, lays siege to Macbeth’s castle.

Part 23: V.iii.

Macbeth’s camp during the battle.

Part 24: V.iv.

Malcolm’s camp during the battle.

Part 25: V.v.

Macbeth learns his wife died.

Part 26: V.vi.

Malcom prepares to fight Macbeth that evening.

Part 27: V.vii.

Macbeth enters to battlefield.

Part 28: V.viii.

Macduff kills Macbeth; the brief era of tyranny and fear comes to an end.

And Now, A Word From Our Intern…

By BLO Intern Katarina Holmgren

As a two-year-old, I was giving mini concerts standing on top of my yellow and orange Fisher Price picnic table singing to my family and anyone else who would listen.  A bundle of energy, I could often be seen singing whimsical songs while twirling around.  Music truly has been my passion for as long as I can remember. Whether I am at home, in my dorm, or walking down the street, I am either singing or running through a melody in my mind, about to burst into song at the next possible moment.  I just can’t help myself!

I realize that I want music to always be a huge part of my life.  As an economics and music (vocal performance concentration) double major, I looked to gain experience in arts administration and see the behind-the scenes-workings of an arts organization this summer.  It’s exciting to have the opportunity to intern with Boston Lyric Opera.  Working in an environment surrounded by people who enjoy their jobs and the final product that they work so hard to produce is really rewarding.  I have been doing tasks ranging from preparing orchestra scores for the Landmarks Concert, to organizing audition materials, to researching grants, to helping with press and publicity.  Although each day brings something a little bit different, I know that everyday I am part of the process which will produce a fabulous final product.  I am looking forward to continuing my work here in the coming weeks!

This internship has put me in a unique place in preparing for my career.  It has not only fostered my interest in arts administration and piqued my interest in PR, but also made me want to perform even more.  I realize that a career as a performer is challenging and that I am only in the beginning stages of preparing for this, but it’s still something I am interested in pursuing.  Maybe someday my performing venue will be transformed from a yellow and orange picnic table to the opera houses of the world.  Who knows!  I do know, however, that there are countless possibilities and that I am very thankful for the wide range of experiences I have gained through this internship with BLO.