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Ten Questions with Nathan Stark

February 6, 2014

Ten Questions with…

Nathan Stark, bass
Sulpice in The Daughter of the Regiment

1. My favorite thing about being a singer is:

Having the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people and work with incredible talents everywhere I go.

2. The greatest challenge in being a singer is:

Trying to stay healthy during the frigid cold/flu season, busy travel months, bouncing around from different cities, time zones, and weather climates. Being able to perform and sing well is based heavily on our physical health, so I’m always trying to be conscious of that. Also, being away from home, spouses and loved ones for long durations of time is always tough.

3. A live music performance I’ve attended that I will never forget is:
I recently attended the Marilyn Horne 80th Birthday Gala at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Some of opera’s biggest stars came out to perform and honor her: Frederica von Stade, Samuel Ramey, Renee Fleming, David Daniels and others. It was truly a special event, and exciting to see so many legends in our business under one roof.

4. A few of my favorite films are:

The Princess Bride, Star Wars (the original trilogy), Glory, The Lord of the Rings (all 3 films), The Devil Wears Prada, and The Legends of the Fall.

5. Three things I can’t live without are:
The performing arts, my cell phone, and fried chicken.

6. My number one hobby is:
Cooking! There is nothing more therapeutic for me than cooking in my own kitchen… with a bottle of my favorite wine nearby. 🙂

7. If you could perform with any singer, retired or deceased, who would it be?

It would be a toss-up between Lady Gaga and Dolly Parton. Classically, I would have loved to have done a show with Marilyn Horne in her prime.

8. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
I’d probably have gone on to culinary school and become a chef… or something to do with food.

9. What role do you wish you could sing that you could never sing because it’s the wrong voice type/gender?

I’d love to sing the title role in Carmen.

10. Describe your favorite moment on stage.

I recently made my mainstage debut at the Metropolitan Opera this Fall as the one-armed brother in Die Frau ohne Schatten. That opening night, as of right now, has been my favorite moment onstage. My family & friends from all over the world came to New York City to support me. It is something I’ll remember the rest of my life.

Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).
What have you enjoyed most about being in Madison, WI?
The people, the fried cheese curds, and the beer-cheese soup!

See Nathan in Madison Opera’s production of Donizetti’s The Daughter of the Regiment (La Fille du Régiment) February 7 & 9 in the Capitol Theater at Overture Center. Tickets start at just $25.

Ten Questions with Allisanne Apple

February 4, 2014

Ten Questions with…

Allisanne Apple, soprano
The Marquise of Berkenfeld in The Daughter of the Regiment

1. My favorite thing about being a singer is:

Singing and performing go hand-in-hand. What I like best is when people are moved by a performance, either to laughter or to tears.

2. The greatest challenge in being a singer is:

Staying healthy!

3. A live music performance I’ve attended that I will never forget is: Hearing Renée Fleming live at Ravinia. Her singing was exquisite and flawless.

4. A few of my favorite films are:

Singin’ in the Rain, Moonstruck, and the seven hour version of Pride and Prejudice!

5. Three things I can’t live without are:
My family (including the dog), my garden, and COOKIES!

6. My number one hobby is:
Gardening.

7. If you could perform with any singer, retired or deceased, who would it be?

Hmmm, that’s a difficult one — there are so many wonderful singers. First thought? Janet Baker.

8. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?Probably acting. Or else, organic farming.

9. What role do you wish you could sing that you could never sing because it’s the wrong voice type/gender?

Boris Godunov, Mephistopheles in Faust – love those bass-baritones. Otherwise, any Puccini soprano role. Sigh.

10. Describe your favorite moment on stage.

There isn’t just one, but a favorite performance was when I was in Madison Opera’s production of Sondheim’s Side by Side, with John DeMain and Ann Stanke on the two pianos. They were fabulous.

See Allisanne in Madison Opera’s production of Donizetti’s The Daughter of the Regiment (La Fille du Régiment) February 7 & 9 in the Capitol Theater at Overture Center. Tickets start at just $25.

Ten Questions with Douglas Swenson

February 3, 2014

Ten Questions with…

Douglas Swenson, tenor
Hortensius in The Daughter of the Regiment

1. My favorite thing about being a singer is:

The challenge. There is a lot going on: memorizing songs and lines, developing character, performing with an orchestra. It is exciting because it is very challenging.

2. The greatest challenge in being a singer is:

Relaxing into the role. Lots of people are watching and I get nervous.

3. A live music performance I’ve attended that I will never forget is: Caitlin Cisler singing Cunegonde from Candide. Those notes are so high it always made me smile when I heard her. You think – “How is that possible?” She nails it.

4. A few of my favorite films are:

Billy Elliot. I think I cried for 5 straight hours after that movie. It gave me a headache. And Babe. I grew up on a farm. “That’ll do, pig”, and I’m a puddle.

5. Three things I can’t live without are:
Love and family, gardening, and coffee.

6. My number one hobby is:
Dancing. Any kind or time of day.

7. If you could perform with any singer, retired or deceased, who would it be?

Paul Simon (and Garfunkel).

8. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
I’m a Project Manager at Sonic Foundry, so I guess that would be it!

9. What role do you wish you could sing that you could never sing because it’s the wrong voice type/gender?

Cinderella in Cinderella (La Cenerentola). Some serious vocal gymnastics in those arias. Gorgeous.

10. Describe your favorite moment on stage.

My favorite moment on stage is in The Secret Garden when Archibald gets to say “And this, my lovely child, is your gaaahden!” You can imagine the sweeping arm gesture, tear on cheek, etc.

See Doug in Madison Opera’s production of Donizetti’s The Daughter of the Regiment (La Fille du Régiment) February 7 & 9 in the Capitol Theater at Overture Center. Tickets start at just $25.

Ten Questions with Scott Piper

October 30, 2013

Ten Questions with…

Scott Piper, tenor
Cavaradossi in Tosca

1. My favorite thing about being a singer is:

Having the ability to travel and perform with fantastic colleagues.

2. The greatest challenge in being a singer is:

Staying healthy in the midst of the constant travel.

3. A live music performance I’ve attended that I will never forget is:
Ray Charles performing “Georgia” at the opening of the Schuster Performing Arts Center in Dayton, Ohio.

4. A few of my favorite films are:

La Strada
Kissing Jessica Stein
Avatar

5. Three things I can’t live without are:
Chocolate
Beef Jerky
Marshmallow Peeps

6. My number one hobby is:
Reading.

7. If you could perform with any singer, retired or deceased, who would it be?

Aureliano Pertile.

8. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
Medicine.

9. What role do you wish you could sing that you could never sing because it’s the wrong voice type/gender?

Tosca.

10. Describe your favorite moment on stage.

The moment before the first downbeat of the score.

See Scott in Madison Opera’s production of Puccini’s Tosca November 1 & 3 in Overture Hall. Tickets start at just $18– why wait?

Ten Questions with Melody Moore

October 30, 2013

Ten Questions with…

Melody Moore, soprano
Tosca in Tosca

1. My favorite thing about being a singer is:

– being able to express what I cannot express in daily life and daily conversation.

2. The greatest challenge in being a singer is:

– keeping stability in health and keeping a quiet mind.

3. A live music performance I’ve attended that I will never forget is:
– Rufus Wainwright’s Judy Garland Show.

4. A few of my favorite films are:

– The Hours, Dogville, and any Lord of the Rings movies.

5. Three things I can’t live without are:
– books, hot baths and my stuffed bear, Brutus.

6. My number one hobby is:
Cooking.

7. If you could perform with any singer, retired or deceased, who would it be?

– Renata Tebaldi.

8. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
Neuroscience or Quantum Physics or Chef.

9. What role do you wish you could sing that you could never sing because it’s the wrong voice type/gender?

That’s why I’m lucky, I get to sing exactly what I love.

10. Describe your favorite moment on stage.

– When I went on for Gheorghiu on opening night of Tosca at San Francisco Opera, I could literally feel the grain of the fabric on the dropcloth below my feet. I could feel electricity surging through my body. I didn’t sleep well for three days afterward. Absolutely exhilarating.

Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).

I don’t desire a specific question, but I would love it if someone actually understood that- although our lives as singers may seem exciting and glamorous – we pay a price. We often do not get to SEE the wondrous surroundings in cities where we sing because we are in rehearsal. We often are away from our homes and families for extended times and we live lonely lives at times. I wish, sometimes, that there was a broader space for that understanding.

See Melody in Madison Opera’s production of Puccini’s Tosca November 1 & 3 in Overture Hall. Tickets start at just $18– why wait?