Ice Breakers
Favorite Questions I ask other Opera Singers, Nos. 21-30
As a freelancer, I really enjoy asking new colleagues questions about themselves during the forming stage of collaboration. It is a fun, albeit slightly nosy way of learning about other people’s relationship to music. Here are a few examples, and how I myself would answer, whenever the question is returned to me.
I have not until now left comments open for my posts, partly because at this point only a handful of friends know that I even have a Substack blog, but if that ever changes, I would genuinely would love to hear others’ answers to these questions.
A link for questions 1-10 and 11-20.
Truth or meaning?
Me: Considering that the only universal truth seems to be that we all have our own, I am inclined to choose meaning!
In the spirit of Regietheater, conceptualize an opera completely out of context.
Me: After I saw the documentary Wild Wild Country, the thought that came to mind was “Wouldn’t it be interesting to have a setting of The Magic Flute with Sarastro as the leader of a New Age religious sect?!?” #paminapattyhearst
First opera you ever saw?
Me: le nozze di Figaro with my mother at the Minnesota Opera when I was 15.
What was your favorite childhood musical/film?
Me: Apparently I watched The Snowman so many times that if I was listening from the other room, I could tell you what was going on in the visuals. Side note: this and The Labyrinth are where my childhood crush on David Bowie comes from (I have not grown out of this).
An opera role you aspire to sing that would surprise others?
Me: Gretel.
First (and/or favorite) opera death.
Me: Curley’s Wife in Of Mice and Men by Carlisle Floyd.
Musical theater role you aspire to sing?
Me: Venus in Kurt Weill’s One Touch of Venus.
Have you ever taken a date (non-musician!) to the opera?
Me: I took a Kindergarten teacher on a first date to see a performance of Joseph Merrick the Elephant Man by Laurent Petigirard. He was politely impressed, though very much in the way Minnesotans can be “politely impressed”.
Most requested wedding song you are asked to perform?
Me: The Prayer.
Most infuriating feedback/instruction you have ever received.
Me: “Copy the recording.”