Opera Rehearsals

Just guessing:
Well, they probably wouldn't be rehearsing in the morning when the opera is actually in production (because they're performing at night), so I imagine the schedule would change, depending on what's scheduled.
And, if the performances are at night, I can't imagine that lessons early in the morning would be very productive.

Try googling 'opera rehearsal schedule' there are links to various operas' rehearsal schedules, and general information.

Sat Nam! (Literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

It's been awhile since I trained for opera, but here goes: Typically, a large opera house has several productions going on during any given week. Rehearsals may start in late morning or in the afternoon. Singers do sometimes meet their coaches in the morning. I recall my coach telling me of how she always forgave students who missed appointments because they slept in. But I'm guessing a big time opera singer will meet with their coaches on the days they aren't singing.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

Sat Nam! (Literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

Just remembered: That date does make a difference if your character is a star. The opera stars often attended only the dress rehearsal. Acting was minimal then (I once read an autobiography of Madame Tetrazzini, who expressed distain that one soprano actually kneeled to sing a prayer!), and the big stars usually provided their own costumes.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

If your MC is NOT a BIG star, then it would be fine to have the opera seamstresses sew the costume. However, Madame Tetrazzini mentions providing her own costumes, and Amelita Galli-Curci had a huge costume closet in her country house; both of these top stars ended their careers in the mid-1930s. The opera house would provide costumes to chorus members and comprimario singers. (see below for definition)

A top star might attend all rehearsals if the opera is new.

If the opera is brand new, 3 weeks of rehearsals is probably going to end in fiasco. But it could be done technically. If the opera is one everyone in the production has done before, 3 weeks is plenty.

As far as how often a comprimario singer (supporting, small part soloist) would perform: depends on the house, how many productions they've got going, etc. Big stars often only sing one or two nights per week, except at festivals. But it was much more than that in the 19th C, not sure how much. Understudies and comprimario singers need to be available more than that. Unfortunately, the bios and autobios I've read don't talk much about them. I do know the chorus gets one night a week off.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

Further reading:
Fortissimo by William Murray gives a good depiction of modern practices.
5000 Nights at the Opera by Sir Rudolf Bing shows the changes from old-school to modern practices.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

Sat Nam! (Literally "Truth Name"-- a Sikh greeting)

In that case, she wouldn't be expected to provide her own costumes. So it won't be an issue.

And yes, a brand new difficult opera will require more than 3 weeks rehearsal if you're expecting something other than catcalls at the end.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal