15:18 A quick look at the information about the upcoming concert. Is there anything on the checklist that still needs to be prepared?
15:27 Phone call with Robert Knarr, who is responsible for the organisational part of the rentals. It's about an event in the coming season, an organiser wants to store four grand pianos on the stage. Does the orchestra have space next to it for rehearsals? If not, the podium has to be moved out - that costs extra.
15:42 The rehearsal is finished ahead of schedule and the rebuilding can begin. Specifically: as the baroque orchestra plays standing up and in a small formation, all the chairs and most of the music stands have to be cleared away and stowed under the stage.
15:58 You can hear Uli humming as he works, and that's no coincidence: he is a trained cultural pedagogue and singer, and as a baritone he has performed on this stage with the Swiss Chamber Choir, among others.
16:00 The harpsichord is delivered. This has to happen a few hours before the concert begins "so that it can acclimatise". It will be tuned later, when the clearing work is finished and it is quiet in the hall.
16:07 It's a back-and-forth with chairs and music stands, Uli grins: "A certain workout is included here."
16:20 Question from a visitor: Who actually put the cards with the sayings in the stage manager's box under the stage? "It was me and my colleague Matthias Lehmann," says Uli and also reveals his favourite saying: "If THAT'S the solution, then I want my problem back!"
16:30 The stage is empty, "but there's still no orchestra in sight - they're usually already at the door by this time".
16:34 And there they are! Two musicians discuss the line-up with Uli. The positions have already been finalised in advance, now it's all about the platforms: how high should they be? And how wide?
16:48 The organ cover is removed, even though it's not needed: "The organiser thinks it's nicer this way."
16:53 Tour of the cloakrooms. Are they warm enough? Is the minibar open where it has been ordered and closed where none has been ordered? The latter is important for the billing of the event, which is also one of his tasks.
17:00 The stage is ready, "earlier than planned, the rehearsal doesn't start for half an hour". Uli will listen in, then explain the evening's programme to the cloakroom and hall staff, direct the lighting during the concert and finally prepare the stage again for the next rehearsal day by around 11 p.m.: "That will make it easier for my colleagues in the morning."
