Ten Questions with
James Held, baritone
2nd Priest /Armored Man in The Magic Flute
1. Where were you born / raised?
Waukesha, Wisconsin.
2. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
I would love to be a pilot, but I think ultimately I’d stick to some sort of musical profession.
3. The first opera I was ever in was…
Albert Herring by Benjamin Britten.
4. My favorite opera is…
Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck
5. My favorite pre-show / post-show meal is…
A burger at Madison’s own Dotty’s Dumpling Dowry, or a sandwich from Jimmy John’s.
6. People would be surprised to know that…
I’m allergic to dairy, which is tantamount to sacrilege in some Wisconsin circles.
7. The musical instrument that I wish I could play is …
The theremin.
8. I like to binge-watch…
Currently The West Wing. 30 Rock is my go-to.
9. What four people (living or deceased) would you like to invite for a dinner party?
Mozart, Nostradamus, Freddie Mercury, and I suppose I should invite my wife.
10. Everyone should see The Magic Flute because….
The music is incredibly rewarding for audience and performer alike.
Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).
Q: How long have you been married?
A: Only 8 months!
Don’t miss the chance to see James in The Magic Flute, Mozart’s sublime opera that is part fairy-tale, part adventure story, and all enchantment. Performances are April 21 and 23 in Overture Hall. Tickets start at $18; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
Ten Questions with
Robert Goderich, tenor
1st Priest /Armored Man
in The Magic Flute
1. Where were you born / raised?
I was born in beautiful Miami, Florida, but I was mostly raised in rural Southwestern Montana in a small town called Deer Lodge.
2. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
I love being in the kitchen, so I think a chef.
3. The first opera I was ever in was…
The Tenderland.
4. My favorite opera is…
Dead Man Walking for the feels.
5. My favorite pre-show / post-show meal is…
I’m not really a pre-show eater, but post-show – EVERYTHING!
6. People would be surprised to know that…
I just started taking regular voice lessons two years ago.
7. My favorite musical instrument to play is …
Tenor sax. I pull mine out every now and then just to play and relax myself.
8. I like to binge-watch…
Food Network shows, Real Housewives, and Jeopardy.
9. What four people (living or deceased) would you like to invite for a dinner party?
Barack and Michelle Obama, Bette Midler, and Harvey Fierstein.
10. Everyone should see The Magic Flute because….
The music is timeless and beautiful. The art being made is simply breathtaking!
Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).
Q: What exactly is gluten?
A: Gluten is a composite of storage proteins found in wheat and other related grains that gives dough elasticity and helps it to rise and keep its shape. It often gives the final product a chewy texture.
Don’t miss the chance to see Robert in The Magic Flute, Mozart’s sublime opera that is part fairy-tale, part adventure story, and all enchantment. Performances are April 21 and 23 in Overture Hall. Tickets start at $18; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
Ten Questions with
Scott Brunscheen, tenor
Monostatos in The Magic Flute
1. Where were you born / raised?
Born in Des Moines and raised in West Des Moines and the southwestern suburbs of Chicago.
2. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
I would most likely be an architect.
3. The first opera I was ever in was…
Le Nozze di Figaro in my freshman year of college.
4. My favorite opera is…
Right now, it’s a toss-up between Handel’s Theodora and David Lang’s The Difficulty of Crossing a Field.
5. My favorite pre-show / post-show meal is…
Mac and cheese with bacon in it.
6. People would be surprised to know that…
I’m obsessively clean. I clean when I’m bored, upset, happy, or needing to feel relaxed.
7. My favorite musical instrument to play is …
Piano. While studying it in school, I practiced all the time and was pretty good. Now, I just learn all the vocal accompaniments to help me learn my rep.
8. I like to binge-watch…
At any time, I’m rewatching Damages, Fringe, or Don’t Trust the B in Apt 23. Right now, I’m obsessing over Schitt’s Creek.
9. What four people (living or deceased) would you like to invite for a dinner party?
Oscar Wilde, Parker Posey, Michelle Obama, and Benjamin Britten.
10. Everyone should see The Magic Flute because….
The music is iconic and gorgeous. Because it is so often produced, it is easy to forget how incredible Mozart’s score is. I don’t think anybody can dislike it – even people who don’t like opera.
Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: I’m obsessed with Korean food right now. Kimchi? YES! Bulgogi? Absolutely. Fish cakes in spicy/salty/tangy sauce? I‘m all over it. The saddest part is that it gives me some serious reflux sometimes, which is why I can’t eat it before singing.
Don’t miss the chance to see Scott in The Magic Flute, Mozart’s sublime opera that is part fairy-tale, part adventure story, and all enchantment. Performances are April 21 and 23 in Overture Hall. Tickets start at $18; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
Ten Questions with
Matthew Scollin, bass-baritone
The Speaker in The Magic Flute
1. Where were you born / raised?
Proud Michigander! Born in Royal Oak, MI; raised in Walled Lake, MI.
2. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
Linguist/Language Teacher.
3. The first opera I was ever in was…
Florencia en el Amazonas by Daniel Catán.
4. My favorite opera is…
Le Nozze di Figaro.
5. My favorite post-show meal is…
Nothing like a post-show frozen pizza.
6. People would be surprised to know that…
At 6’5″, I am the second shortest male on my dad’s side of the family.
7. The musical instrument that I wish I could play is …
The banjo.
8. I like to binge-watch…
All three Lord of the Rings extended editions.
9. What four people (living or deceased) would you like to invite for a dinner party?
My wife Sarah, C.S. Lewis, Martin Luther, George Washington.
10. Everyone should see The Magic Flute because….
It has some of the most hunmable melodies in all of opera!
Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).
Q: What is your favorite college team?
A: Michigan State Spartans! Go Green!
Don’t miss the chance to see Matthew in The Magic Flute, Mozart’s sublime opera that is part fairy-tale, part adventure story, and all enchantment. Performances are April 21 and 23 in Overture Hall. Tickets start at $18; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
Ten Questions with
Anna Parks, mezzo-soprano
3rd Lady in The Magic Flute
1. Where were you born / raised?
I was born in Eau Claire, WI, but was raised in River Falls, WI.
2. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
I minored in business administration so I would love to still be involved with an arts organization in some way. If not, either a lawyer or a ghost hunter.
3. The first opera I was ever in was…
Iolanthe. I was still in high school, and even though some people don’t believe that Gilbert & Sullivan is “true” opera, I loved it!
4. My favorite opera is…
Così fan tutte by Mozart or anything by John Adams.
5. My favorite pre-show / post-show meal is…
Pre-show is usually pretty light, just some avocado toast and tea. Post-show I eat like crazy! Usually a burger, pizza, or if I’m lucky some of Susan’s bourbon brownies.
6. People would be surprised to know that…
Before going to college, I was torn between music and languages. I really wanted to be an international interpreter or the ambassador of the United States to Mexico, but music won. I just can’t live without it.
7. My favorite musical instrument is …
My dad is a professional French horn player so I have to go with that. It’s such a beautiful sound. I wish I could play the piano; it’s definitely a skill I need to work on.
8. I like to binge-watch…
Pretty much anything. I’m a major binge-watcher. I just finished watching The People v. O.J. Simpson. It was very interesting.
9. What four people (living or deceased) would you like to invite for a dinner party?
Audrey Hepburn, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Barack Obama, and Desmond Tutu.
10. Everyone should see The Magic Flute because….
I always say The Magic Flute is the best first opera to go to. The music is amazing and there are so many fun elements to the story. Everyone should see it, especially if you have never been to an opera before!
Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).
Q: What is your favorite fiber?
A: Alpaca. It’s very warm and durable for cold Midwest winters! Plus Alpacas are super adorable.
Don’t miss the chance to see Anna in The Magic Flute, Mozart’s sublime opera that is part fairy-tale, part adventure story, and all enchantment. Performances are April 21 and 23 in Overture Hall. Tickets start at $18; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
Ten Questions with 
