Charles Eaton, Baritone
Moralès – Carmen
1. Where were you born? Where were you raised?
I was born and raised in Storrs, CT. It’s the town that has the University of Connecticut, where my grandparents, parents, and all of my siblings (including myself!) went to college.
2. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
A dream job was always to be a veterinarian, but in retrospect, I’m not sure I’d have the nerves for it (too many sick pups).
3. The first opera I was ever in was…
I was an eager chorister in Die Fledermaus at the University of Connecticut, before I really knew what opera was all about.
4. My favorite opera is…
I absolutely love The Crucibleby Robert Ward. I think the music and drama is spectacular. The Marriage of Figaro is pretty high up on my list as well.
5. My favorite food to cook or eat is…
I love all things coconut. I will always choose coconut flavor over all others if given the option.
6. People would be surprised to know…
I lived with my parents for my last three years of college…the idea of taking out more loans to live in a dorm seemed silly, and my parents are pretty awesome :).
7. If I could travel anywhere, real or fantasy, I would travel to…
Hobbiton. Hands down.
8. I like to binge-watch…
The Office is my go-to show when trying to fall asleep to something or pass time. I think I’ve watched the whole series about 10 times through.
9. What four people (living or deceased) would you like to invite for a dinner party?
It’d be incredible to meet the guy I’m named after, who died in World War II. Other than that, maybe Mahler, my theory professor from grad school (Michael Cherlin, who loves Mahler and taught me so much about his music), and my childhood pup, Marley, who passed last year. That’d be an interesting meet up…
10. Everyone should see Carmen because….
It’s such a fun, dramatic story with an awesome, powerful leading lady, and the music is some of the most recognizable and beautiful there is.
11. Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer)?
Q: What would be your superpower if you could have just one?
A: Transfiguratiom, like McGonagall!
Don’t miss the chance to see Charles in Carmen, Bizet’s breathtaking opera. Performances are November 3 & November 5 in Overture Hall. Tickets start at $18; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
Anna Polum – Soprano
1. Where were you born/ where were you raised?
I was born in Everett, Washington and raised on Kodiak Island, Alaska since I was 9 months old.
2. If you weren’t a vocalist, what profession would you be in?
Speech pathologist.
3. The first opera I was ever in was…
Carmen.
4. My favorite opera is…
Peter Grimes.
5. My favorite pre/post show meal is…
Pre-show is always something light, like a salad with lots of fruits and vegetables. Post-show is when I pig out, usually with a burger.
6. People would be surprised to know…
That despite being from Alaska I did not grow up without electricity, ride polar bears to school, or live in an igloo.
7. I like to binge-watch…
The Office, New Girl, Law and Order.
8. What four people would you like to invite for a dinner party?
My Grandma Thompson, Eleanor Roosevelt, Alma Mahler, and Oscar Wilde.
9. What is the worst costume you’ve ever worn?
That was when I had to play a nun, but it had a steampunk theme. I was covered from head to toe in tons of black fabric (so it was hot under the stage lights) with one strip of white around my face. All of my make-up would rub off on to it. It was gross.
10. Why should people go to the opera?
Because it’s fun! It’s not as far out of reach as people generally think. There’s an opera out there for every person and their interests.
11. Bonus: What’s one question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer)?
Q: Do you like summer?
A: No, I’m from Alaska! I love winter!
Benjamin Liupaogo – Tenor
1. Where were you born/ where were you raised?
I was born in Castro Valley, California. I was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.
2. If you weren’t a vocalist, what profession would you be in?
I would be in the medical field. I like to help people.
3. The first opera I was ever in was…
Orpheus in the Underworld.
4. My favorite opera is…
Aida.
5. My favorite pre/post show meal is…
Pre-show would be crackers and many different types of cheese and meats. Post-show would be cheesecake.
6. People would be surprised to know…
That I am a big teddy bear!
7. I like to binge-watch…
Shameless, Bones, Charmed, Numbers, Harry Potter 1 – 7.
8. What four people would you like to invite for a dinner party?
Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Sondheim, Franz Liszt
9. What is the worst costume you’ve ever worn?
In a production of Candide, I had on genie pants and a top. They were like pajamas but way too big for my body. I looked like the marshmallow man from Ghostbusters.
10. Why should people go to the opera?
To experience a beautiful art form and to be amazed at what is required of an opera caliber singer. First and foremost go for the singing. It takes a lot of work to make singing sound easy in an operatic production.
11. Bonus: What’s one question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer)?
Q: Why did you choose music as your field/career?
A: I chose classical music and voice as my career because I love and have a passion for this art form. My purpose for this career path was for myself. I made a choice that I would pursue this career for the sake of the art and the music it had to offer to others as well as myself. I like to help people, and this is one way that I can help others. Music has always given me life and I could not see myself in any field other than music.
Megan Ott – Mezzo-Soprano
1. Where were you born/ where were you raised?
Erie, Pennsylvania.
2. If you weren’t a vocalist, what profession would you be in?
Voiceover actor. I am currently perfecting my “operatic chipmunk voice.”
3. The first opera I was ever in was…
Amahl and the Night Visitors. I was the Page!
4. My favorite opera is…
La Cenerentola
5. My favorite post-show meal is…
Post-show, I love eating Italian food and having a nice glass of wine.
6. People would be surprised to know…
I can solve a Rubik’s cube in 47 seconds.
7. I like to binge-watch…
The Office. Lately I’ve also been watching Ozark.
8. What four people would you like to invite for a dinner party?
Abe Lincoln, Ellen DeGeneres, Gael García Bernal, and Salvador Dalí.
9. What is the best costume you’ve ever worn?
It was in a production of The Magic Flute, when I sang the Third Lady. The costume was steampunk meets super woman, all tied together with glowing lightning bolts.
10. Why should people go to the opera?
Because it is a chance for them to step out of reality and into something magical for a few hours. It is a chance to find peace and can be extremely healing, especially with all of the negativity in our world right now.
11. Bonus: What’s one question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer)?
Q: Where do you want to travel to next?
A: Iceland is somewhere I’ve been itching to explore.
Don’t miss the chance to see Megan all year long, on our mainstage and in our community. Visit madisonopera.org for more information.
In the Park with…
Joseph Mechavich
Conductor, Opera in the Park
1. Where were you born / raised?
Long Lake, Minnesota (western suburb of Minneapolis). I currently live in Philadelphia: The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.
2. What is in your ideal picnic basket?
A delicious rosé from Provence.
3. My most memorable moment performing outside was…
… conducting the Star Wars Suite with the Florida Orchestra for 15,000 souls in Raymond James Stadium/Tampa… especially Darth Vader’s Theme… Jumbotron!!!
4. My favorite outdoor performance I’ve attended was…
…anything and everything at Tanglewood.
5. My favorite summertime activity is…
…(see number 2)
6. My ideal vacation is….
…lying on a deserted beach and drinking (see number 2).
Join Joseph for Opera in the Park on Saturday, July 22 at 8pm in Garner Park. FREE admission; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
