Anna Laurenzo, mezzo-soprano
Paquette in Candide
1. My favorite thing about being a singer is: Getting to become someone else on stage. It’s such a learning experience to try out different character mannerisms and habits that I would never do in real life. And how could I fail to mention the crazy fun costumes!
2. The greatest challenge in being a singer is: The inability to see your instrument.
3. A live music performance I’ve attended that I will never forget is: The Dvorak Violin Concerto in A with the Minnesota Orchestra in 2011. What a powerful piece!
4. My favorite American opera is: There are so many! I am so excited about the future of opera, but to narrow it down: Of Mice and Men by Carlisle Floyd, A Streetcar Named Desire by Andre Previn, Doctor Atomic by John Adams, and Glory Denied by Tom Ciupllo.
5. People would be surprised to know that: I was a gymnast for 10 years!
6. Describe your favorite moment on stage: I love the moment just before the curtain opens, no matter the show. There is a quiet energy that starts to bubble up as I listen to the overture and do my final preparation.
A: I’d have to say Buffalo wings or any derivative of that (buffalo chicken dip, buffalo chicken nachos, etc.)
Anna is one of Madison Opera’s 2014/15 Studio Artists. Come hear her in excerpts from Candide as part of American Kaleidoscope at the Overture Center this Saturday and Sunday. Tickets at overturecenter.org or 608.258.4141.
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