Page 5 – The Atlanta Opera

You may know Alan Higgs from his role in The Marriage of Figaro as Antonio, or his dual role in La bohème as Alcindoro and Benoit. This season, he will sing the iconic role of the Pirate King in Gilbert & Sullivan’s classic operetta, The Pirates of Penzance. As part of the Studio Tour, Higgs will perform in front of hundreds of students in schools across Atlanta and the greater metropolitan area. We caught up with Alan to learn more about his background, how he gets into his pirate character, and to hear his advice for young, aspiring performers.

The Atlanta Opera: Did you grow up in an opera household?

Alan Higgs: I was very lucky as a child and my parents supported me
in everything that I wanted to do. I was always encouraged to follow my dreams.
I began singing in my church choir as a little one and it took off from there.
I joined chorus and did all of the school musicals from Elementary through High
School. It wasn’t until I went to Interlochen Arts Academy, a boarding school
for arts students in Michigan for my senior year of high school that I was
introduced to the opera world. It was there that I did my first operetta,
Ruddigore, also by Gilbert and Sullivan. From then on I was hooked!

Higgs as Benoit in La bohème (Photo: Jeff Roffman)

How does the Studio Tour, which brings opera into schools, differ from your mainstage work?

The Studio Tour has a few differences from mainstage
work. First off they are much shorter productions. They usually run 45 minutes
to an hour depending on the production and age of the students. There is far
less pressure in a production for students then in mainstage work in my
opinion.

From my experiences, I have found that students are usually fascinated
by anything you do as long as you stay engaged and focus on the storytelling.
They aren’t as concerned as much about whether your high note was perfect or if
you mess up. It’s live theater mistakes are bound to happen once in awhile! Studio tours are usually also geared more towards the younger generation and
either picked because the plot is relevant to kids or is updated in a way that
they can relate to. For example, at Florida State University where I did my
Masters Degree, we did an updated version of L’elisir d’amore called
“Glee”lixir of Love. This was during a time that the show Glee was
very popular and they students were able to relate more to the show because of
the references to Glee that we used in our Studio Tour. it was a blast and was
very well received. For most of these kids it is one of the first times they
are seeing an opera production and I have found that they are just very appreciative
of the new musical experience.

I really think that the Studio tours are crucial
to the preservation of our art form. Reaching out to our youth and sparking a
new interest in them whether it is performing or just the enjoyment of watching
the productions will help secure a future for our art form.

Higgs as Antonio (rear) in The Marriage of Figaro (Photo: Roffman)

The Pirate King is a fairly over the top role. How do you go about getting into that character?

The Pirate King is indeed a very “over the top”
role. While this type of role can be very challenging it can also end up being
one of the most fun. One of the best parts about singing opera for me is getting
to be someone totally different than myself. Getting into the character is a
huge process both physically and mentally. Development of a backstory for the
character, specific physicalities, character relations, and costumes and make
up are all a big part of the preparation.

What can an audience member expect from The Pirates of Penzance?

The audience can expect to laugh and enjoy a timeless
Gilbert and Sullivan work that has been entertaining audiences around the globe
for years and will continue to do so for years to come. The Atlanta Opera has put
together an All-Star cast of young professional singers residing here in our
city that are eager to showcase their talents in this brilliant piece! Of
course they can also expect a few ARGHH’s in there as well. 😉

Higgs as Alcindoro in La boheme (Photo: Roffman)

Any advice for young kids and students who want to get into opera and theater?

My advice for kids wanting to get into opera and theater
is to go for it! Join a choir, take voice and acting lessons, take up a musical
instrument, audition for the school and community productions, basically do
everything you can to immerse yourself in the art form and see if this is
something you really enjoy doing. One thing I have learned is that natural
talent will only get you so far. You really have to be driven, work hard and be
passionate about music to succeed in this industry, and know that if one door
closes another right around the corner could be opening for you – so don’t ever
give up!

Usage of any images on this blog is restricted to The Atlanta Opera and approved news websites. Any other usage, particularly for professional purposes, must have written permission. For additional information, please contact The Atlanta Opera at 404.881.8801.

Baritone Matthew Worth (who sings the role of the Soldier in “Soldier Songs”) opens up about his biggest influences, his real connection with Lieutenant Audebert (Silent Night), and his love for live theater. He also shares four words of sage advice for up-and-coming artists.

The Atlanta Opera: Did you grow up around opera?

Matthew Worth: Nope. We were more of a folk & rock music house. There
was a lot of Paul Simon, Peter Paul & Mary, Billy Joel, and James Taylor on
LP.

Who or what has been the biggest influence
on your career?

My parents for the work ethic they instilled in me. There
have always been people out there with more talent, but a lot of times my
dogged preparation and passion win out.

“Soldier Songs” rehearsal in Atlanta, November 3, 2015

This time last year, you sang the role of
Lieutenant Audebert in Silent Night at Wexford Festival. Can you tell us
what you remember most about that production and the role?

Lieutenant Audebert is introduced to the audience as he leaves his pregnant wife for the battlefield. For this production of Silent Night, I had to leave my pregnant wife back home for close to two months. Being apart from her was absolute torture, but it fueled my connection to Audebert.

What was the experience like playing a
soldier last fall and playing one in Soldier Songs this year?

They’re very different characters for innumerable reasons,
and yet war binds them in countless ways, as well.

“Soldier Songs” rehearsal in Atlanta, November 3, 2015

What is the experience like working with
Tomer Zvulun, a veteran?

I love working with Tomer. We’re both strong willed in our
takes on characters. We’re both willing to hear each others arguments and to
see them play out. We always come out on the other side with an honest and true
portrayal.

What’s it like to be in Opera – and the live performing arts – in this “iPod era”?

The thrill of live performance – whether it be the theater, the symphony, the opera, and others – has yet to be matched by recording. People are struck by the sight and feel of our soul-bearing humanity (when it’s done well, I mean).

Any advice for young people who want to become Opera singers?
Live first. Then decide.

Read more about Matthew Worth, including his upcoming role in David T. Little’s JFK, at www.matthewworthbaritone.com.

Photos by Kristin Hoebermann

The 2015 Opera Ball was a masked affair held at the St. Regis Atlanta. Ball Chair Mary Calhoun hosted the fabuluous evening with The Opera, which honored Martha Thompson Dinos. The night was filled with dancing, dining, live & silent auctions, and performances by Mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton and Tenor Russell Thomas. Photos by Ninh Chau.

The Atlanta Opera: How do you balance getting into character in each production while making yourself comfortable in a new city?

Nicholas Brownlee: I actually think this could be the hardest part of the career: Getting settled in a new city. I always find the closet Target, subway and pharmacy immediately, that always helps me feel acquainted with the area I am in and…it’s TARGET.

What do you think of Atlanta? Any particular place, meal, or adventure stick out so far?

This trip to Atlanta has been different than most gigs for me as I was born and raised in Mobile, AL and frequented Atlanta often. However, I have discovered some wonderful different places this trip. There was the best brunch of my life at Rise and Dine (across the street from emory). If you don’t go there and get the quinoa grits (I know, I know I had the same reaction but trust me!) you’re missing out! In addition to the great eats, I am fairly confident I could happily live in the Lenox mall.

One would imagine that constant travel could strain your voice, as well as your mental and physical fortitude. Any thoughts on keeping in good health on the road?

As my colleagues like to often remind me, I am still quite young so it physically doesn’t really hit me that hard, however, mentally it can be tough. Being away from loved ones and your own bed takes its toll. To get through that, my motto is “sprout where you are planted.” I always try to get out into the city I am in and really take in the culture – it helps tremendously in feeling like you’re not in a new place every six weeks and doesn’t allow you to lament the people and places you miss.

What’s the first thing you do when you go home?

Crash into my bed like its a pool in August.

What is your craziest travel story?

Oh boy, what a question. There have been many but the wildest was when I traveled to China, which was first trip out of the country…ever. I landed and wasn’t able to speak English to anyone for two days, somehow managed it and ended up having a great time there!

What are the 5 things you must have when you travel?

I don’t think I have any “must haves”. I HATE packing and I always tell myself: “I’ll just buy it there if I forget something.”

The Atlanta Opera: How do you balance getting into character in each production while making yourself comfortable in a new city?

Leah Partridge: I find it easy now because I have been doing this for 13 years. Being on the road gives me time to be alone and that is when my creativity and ideas have space to flow. However, I am singing at home now and I find that because I am not struggling with trying to find the grocery store or my way around town that I am equally relaxed and using my time differently.

What do you think of Atlanta? Any particular place, meal, or adventure stick out?

Atlanta is awesome! There are so many wonderful things to do here. I am thrilled to have moved back here three years ago. I really love all the restaurants. I live in the Midtown Westside and my particular favorites are JCT Kitchen and Bone Garden. Oh, and I love Bocado for a burger. I took the guys in the cast here for lunch one day and they agreed it was AMAZING! You can’t go wrong with the other arts organizations around here. I encourage everyone to check out the High Museum, the Botanical Gardens, the Symphony and drive up to Kennesaw State and see the new Zuckerman Art Museum, as well. If they want an adventure out of town to really see the south, I encouraged my colleagues to take a drive to Macon, GA to see all the Antebellum homes Sherman missed in his march.

One would imagine that constant travel could strain your voice, as well as your mental and physical fortitude. Any thoughts on keeping in good health on the road?

Good health is the key! I maintain exercise at all times. It keeps me in shape so that I can fall on the floor countless times during the rehearsal process if I am playing a character who is dying. It also helps me maintain cardiovascular strength which is a must these days in opera. There is so much running around happening now in opera. You must practice not running out of breath. So, I like to run on a treadmill and practice singing if I know the production demands it of me. For mental health, I stay connected to friends and family. Facebook is so useful to me on the road.

What’s the first thing you do when you go home?

See family! Enjoy my soft comfy bed and head to the country outside of Athens or to Lincolnton, GA.

What is your craziest travel story?

I once slept for fours hours on the floor of the Madrid airport. It had been a very long delayed trip and I was exhausted. I didn’t even care. People were stepping around me.

What are the 5 things you must have when you travel?

1. Internet
2. Running shoes
3. Yoga mat
4. Electric toothbrush
5. Did I mention Internet? It’s made everything easier…

Atlanta Opera: How do you balance getting into
character in each production while making yourself comfortable in a new city?

Maria Luigia Borsi: In general, I can say that I am a
person that has trouble dealing with change, maybe because I come from a
country where there are unchanged monuments and traditions that have been
around for thousands of years. On the other hand, the life I live
is a non-stop adventure, full of new people, new places and different languages. I have to admit, it’s not always easy to integrate myself into new
situations. Basically, I can sum this up by saying, you can take the country
girl out of the country but nobody can take the country out of the country girl
;-).

The characters that I interpret
cannot have jet lag. Theatre, anywhere in the world, is a sacred place,
magical and timeless; where everything takes shape and life in a natural way. Fundamentally, it’s the characters
themselves that help make me feel more comfortable wherever I am.

One would imagine that constant travel could strain your voice, as well as your
mental and physical fortitude. Any thoughts on keeping in good health on the
road?

The voice is a very delicate
instrument, it is affected by many factors: weather changes, jet lag, mood
swings, hormonal factors and personal problems. I try to have a healthy lifestyle:
eating well, a bit of physical activity, sleep well…but it isn’t as simple as
it seems because a singer’s life is irregular and full of adrenaline. The first thing I do in the
morning is drink fresh squeezed lemon juice (no sugar), it’ s a natural
antibiotic. I normally drink a lot of water and I often have propolis caramel
in my mouth in order to humidify and pamper my instrument. In my opinion, it’s important to
try to be in contact with the needs of the body, be calm and have confidence.

What
is your craziest travel story?

Unfortunately I don’t have a crazy
travel story, but I could tell many stories about crazy tenors ! 😉

What’s
the first thing you do when you go home?

I kiss my husband Brad, my
daughter Ambra, il mio babbino caro (my dear father), I hug my dog Mixy and my
three cats: Alfredo, Merci, Danke. After that, I gaze upon and contemplate
about our beautiful garden, I observe the progress that the plants have made
during my absence.

What
do you think of Atlanta? Any particular place, meal, or adventure stick out so
far?

I live in Tuscany, in the
countryside, in a house in the middle of fields, without television. Atlanta
is a huge city. Every time I walk down the street I feel so small. Every day is
an adventure while driving a car here! But, there are some lovely places
in Atlanta, houses and gardens as beautiful as a fairy tale where I could surely
feel like a gnome in an enchanted world.

What
are the 5 things you must have when you travel?

I need my cell phone to keep in
touch with my family, the score, my daughter’s photos and drawings, a
humidifier, a coffee mocha, olive oil (because good olive oil is nearly
impossible to find outside Italy), some pasta, a bottle of wine (or two) and
Parmigiano cheese. Pavarotti traveled with his
entire kitchen, so why can’t I? ;-))))

The Atlanta Opera: How
do you balance getting into character in each production while making yourself
comfortable in a new city?

Gianluca Terranova: Every time
I go to a different city, I filter my character with the director and the
conductor and the rest of the cast. I need a good team to do my job, because I believe in teamwork. when I have that, then I can put all my
experience and my passion to work to give it my best.

What
do you think of Atlanta? Any particular place, meal, or adventure stick out so
far?

I don’t
know Atlanta well, but I will have time to explore the city. I like the
weather, because it’s the same in my city – Rome, Italy. I see very nice homes and manicured gardens, the people are very kind and this is
good for my soul, and also the state of my mind it takes to sing better! Every
time I’m in the USA I always have a feeling of great positive energy!

One would imagine that constant travel could strain your voice, as well as your
mental and physical fortitude. Any thoughts on keeping in good health on the
road?

When
the commitments are close to each other, a good thing to do is sleep well when
you can.

What’s the first thing you do when you go home?

Sleep in my
bed and relax with some friends and family. And off course warm up my voice
with the Rigoletto score.

What
is your craziest travel story?

I was in
Switzerland for a summer opera festival and had to go to Lugano to take my
family to the train station. I had the [navigation device in] my car take a shortcut because I was late. So I followed the navigator and I found myself
climbing a mountain road. I arrived at 3000 meters! I saw the glaciers, waterfalls and snow in July! I was only two hours on the road and I was afraid
because I had a short-sleeved shirt and it was zero degrees outside! Fortunately, the road started down and got on the highway!

What
are the 5 things you must have when you travel?

Moca
caffe, parmigiano, medicine, recorder, and [my] voice!

Rolando Salazar (Assistant Conductor/Music Administrator)

The Discoveries series continued to “Discover Atlanta” at Wax n’ Facts record shop in the heart of Little 5 Points. Over the course of a wax-meltingly hot afternoon, Rolando Salazar (Assistant Conductor/Musical Administrator) set out to pick his 5 favorite recordings of all time. Rolando is a highly trained chorus master and pianist, and true Texan. Which means we already expected a real curatorial bonanza. Still, he didn’t hesitate to surprise with his final Top 5 albums.
Enjoy, Atlanta.

For 38 years, Wax n’ Facts has helped keep Little 5 Points’ heart beating with soulful vinyl, CD’s, tapes and furbelow dating back decades. The historic athenaeum is where so many albums – oft overlooked for generations – are ripe to be plucked, ripped from their original seal, released of the hoary air from decades past, and embraced by a needle and tone arm.

Rolando kept searching. Sean (owner of Wax n’ Facts) helped out and offered a few of his curated albums, like Botticelli & His Orchestra. This album has some amazing renditions of 70’s hits, like “It Never Rains in Southern California.”

Crate digging DJ’s, purists, and young guns wearing The Cure t-shirts (ironically or not) breezed in and out of the local record temple during the day. Some journeyed to observe and others to spend their hard earned greenbacks on memories and treasures.

Rolando kept digging. Two hours and $23 later, he had finally found his records. Here is the Top 5, in no particular order and with commentary:

#1: La Bohème:
“Because you can’t have too many Bohème
recordings! Plus, Carlo Bergonzi’s voice is pure gold.”

#2: The Merry Widow

“Who doesn’t love The Merry Widow?!”

#3: Here You Come Again – Dolly Parton
“Because, Texas! So, I was born and raised in Texas, and Country Western music has always been a big part of my life. I feel so
many of the Country Western songs are little miniatures with great stories and emotion, just
like lieder and arias in the Classical music world.”

#4: Strauss sung by Leontyne Price

“The last work Richard composed was his Four Last Songs.
If I was stuck on an island with only one recording, it would be a toss up
between the Four Last Songs and a Wagner Ring Cycle.”

#5: Il ritorno di Tobia – Haydn
“A work I don’t know at all, but have
heard of. Sometimes good works become obscure because they are completely
overshadowed by the popularity of other works, in this case, Haydn’s Creation. Plus, my middle name is Tobias.”

This season, we open our Discoveries series with Winter Journey (Winterreise). Staying true to the Discoveries mission to find new works and new perspectives, we will bring David Adam Moore to Atlanta to sing the lead role and to serve as production designer of this production. Opera News praised Moore for his “consistent delivery of beauty.” You can expect this, and more, in September. We asked David about his upbringing, his dual role, and how we listen to (and experience) classical music in an iPhone world.

David Adam Moore in Winter Journey this September 17, 19, 20 at the Conant Performing Arts Center

The Atlanta Opera: Did you grow up in a very musical household?

David Adam Moore: Yes. The Moores have been professional musicians in Texas since at least the 19th century. I’m the first one to pursue classical music instead of Country-Western (and its earlier forms). I grew up seeing my grandfathers, father, aunt, uncles, etc. play music in nightclubs and at family get-togethers. My father toured with a top 10 radio artist named Tracy Byrd for several years. Watching my family sing or pick up instruments and just start making music has proven to be a huge influence on my approach to music-making, even in classical music.

Opera: You have a dual role in Winter Journey. Tell us what it’s like to perform in a show that you also design.

David: It’s a dream come true, to be honest. My orientation to art and music has always been both aural and visual, so this is a unique opportunity to explore the work and tell the story on both fronts. As a result, the audience experiences a unified expression of the story. From the production end, it surprisingly makes things run a bit smoother because there is no need for channels of communication and negotiation between director, designer, and performer. My partner in life, art, and general mischief, Vita Tzykun, is a brilliant set and costume designer with an immense visual imagination and superb technical skills, and as the Winter Journey project has developed, I’ve been able to involve her more and more, so that what you will see in Atlanta is the result of a long-running collaboration between us.

The 3D projection mapping on stage changes with each song in Winter Journey (Winterreise)

Opera: How do we listen to classical music in the age of the iPhone?

David: That’s a good question, and it seems everyone is figuring this out for themselves. On one hand, it’s exciting because we have unprecedented access to high-quality recorded music from all eras. On the other, music has become more individual and less social. Perhaps this makes live music a more special experience than it was a decade ago.

Opera: How does technology in a visual world affect our listening skills?

David: For Winter Journey, our aim is to use the video as a language to guide the audience through the emotional journey of the poet. We use a video technique called 3D projection mapping to transform the set into a self-contained landscape that can change completely from song to song… sometimes guiding the narrative by suggesting time, place, and environment, and at other times drawing the audience into the more abstract, symbolic world of the poet’s thoughts and emotions. The video content consists entirely of moving images – no still images are used.

Opera: Your company, GLMMR, is designing Winter Journey. GLMMR stands for Giving Light Motion + Memory + Relevance. How does that translate into a production like this?

David: GLMMR’s Winter Journey started as a video accompaniment I had created for my recital performances of Winterreise and through a series of workshop presentations in NYC, Kansas, and Houston evolved into a fully-immersive presentation in which the performer functions within a landscape of video imagery. We are particularly excited about Atlanta’s production, because we have designed a new set and created new video material that includes locations ranging from Times Square to the Utah Salt Flats. GLMMR is an umbrella or “brand’ under which Vita and I collaborate together and with a large group of contributing members from all ends of the art world. Most all of Winter Journey’s set and projection design comes from Vita and me, but the video content has been created with the participation of over a dozen GLMMR members and contributors from all over the country. GLMMR’s artistic mission is to explore the spaces between the lines – “that thing that didn’t occur to you.” Our primary media are light and sound in all of its various forms.

“Our aim is to use the video as a language to guide the audience through the emotional journey.”

Opera: What draws you to a classic composition like Schubert’s Winter Journey?

David: The music and drama of Winter Journey is rich, gorgeous, and powerful – one of the greatest works of art song ever created. I think the piece is underrepresented because professional song recitals have become increasingly rare in recent years and audiences in America haven’t had many opportunities to experience it. Unlike many stage works in classical music, the piece is very universal and not tied to any particular time period or cultural context. This makes it easy for contemporary audiences to relate to the poet’s situation and see parallels in their own lives.

Opera: You clearly stay busy. What’s your ideal “day off”?

David: Day off?? LOL.

Winter Journey

Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University

September 17, 19, 20, 2015

Tickets on sale now (Click here)

Photo Credit: Denny Wells

Our 2015-16 season opens with a theatrical version of Franz Schubert’s famed song cycle Winter Journey (Winterreise). This opera is a romantic journey that includes two cycles of songs telling the story of unrequited love, written by Schubert in 1827. The piece has the dramatic and emotional effect of a full opera when sung by a great singer and accompanied by a theatrical, visually arresting production. Here’s a bit of what you can expect to see:

This production is essentially an “illustrated” Winter Journey, in which the audience is brought into the emotional world of the poet. The projection-mapped set acts as a self-contained landscape that transforms completely from song to song; sometimes guiding the narrative by suggesting time, place, and environment; and sometimes drawing the audience into a symbolic world of the poet’s thoughts and emotions. The video content consists entirely of moving images – no still images are used.

Baritone David Adam Moore sings the title role of the poet who treks through the winter night. Creative direction by GLMMR, the creative team of David Adam Moore and Vita Tzykun.

Click here to learn more and purchase tickets. We look forward to seeing you there!

All photos: Denny Wells

Pick Up Your Q with Alan Higgs

Behind the Scenes with Matthew Worth

The Atlanta Opera Ball

On the Road with Nicholas Brownlee

A Life of Travel with Leah Partridge

The Traveling Performer’s Life: Maria Luigia Borsi

Gianluca Terranova: Life on the Road

The Discoveries Series “Discovers Atlanta” at Wax n’ Facts

Light and Sound: David Adam Moore Has Something to Say

Winter Journey (Winterreise)

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