In her mid 20s she was enjoying the success many dream about and with which most would be content. So 12 hours -- that's a lot!" Alagna told AFP in his dressing room at the New York opera house. When Rene said that to me it was an incredible moment because she is the best and most definitive Rusalka. I need to be dedicated only to my art and at home I cant be because I have to be there for my daughter.. She gave a renowned performance in Madama Butterfly, only to step in for a matinee of La bohme the next day . I know you should sing without being overcome by these feelings but, unfortunately, I am giving each performance more than 100 per cent. When shes done right, shes an extremely sexy and sensitive heroine. For me it was a huge key.\, Latvian success took her to the Berlin Staatsoper, which Opolais counts as the start of her international career. I remember her face after the production. Copyright 2023 Kristine Opolais. Opera Magazine Features People Kristne Opolais. She had to give her daughter a better life, but she also needed to go back to taking the artistic risks she always had. The soprano noted that she had been struggling with some physical issues for years but had not paid much attention to it until this point. And she is very talented, but she is also very shy.. Richard Eyre's elegant production, which sets the action in 1940s occupied France, was one of the highlights of the Met's 2015-16 season. To find out more about Kristin Opolais see: kristineopolais.com, For details about Tosca at the Royal Opera House: If people tell me I cant, I try and find the way to do it anyway, she stated. And when teachers asked me, What you will do, Opolais, with your future life? Shes the classic representation of the role and she brought so much beauty to that character. This was followed in June of 2011 by her debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden as Cio Cio San in Madama . Then she went on tour with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, also under Nelsons. Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais, who has sung the title role at Covent Garden, played the young temptress whose brother (baritone Massimo Cavaletti) is packing her off to a convent. I had been partying with colleagues after the production (laughs), there was no way I could do it! Shes even struggled with physical ailments that had been bothering her for years and were now interfering with her ability to perform. Known as "haunted and focused" Kristine Opolais brings a breath of fresh air to the operatic stage. Today I can only say that Im thankful for my experience as I really know what bad is. A second attempt went better, and she got a place at the Latvian Academy of Music. So to get that approval from Rene meant the world to me. Latvian Artist On Regaining Her Artistic Identity, Motherhood, & Puccini. Opera is thriving. So for a better part of 2018, the soprano spent more time in Latvia to be with Adriana as she commenced her elementary school studies in Riga. WHERE DOES YOUR HEAD GO WHEN YOU PERFORM? I just remember I wanted it, and I thought I could do it. Her process comes down to immersing herself fully in a character and then just living the experience onstage, with warts and all. She flinches at the notion of diva-dom. When shes done right, shes an extremely sexy and sensitive heroine. In the 22-23 season, Jonathan Tetelman makes his eagerly awaited company debut at San Francisco Opera as Alfredo in a new production of Verdi . It is, to be fair, a blessed moment for Kristine (pronounced Kristin-a) Opolais. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. When she laughed, she'd lean forward and create a triangle from her shoulder to her hand with her left arm, bending her wrist. I had just performed my debut in, and I got a call the following morning at 7.30am from Peter Gelb asking me to do. When it did happen I found that I just got lost in the staging, I was very unhappy and I couldnt make it work. Opolais, despite her glamorous demeanor, captures the fragility of a simple girl captivated by Rodolfo, but destined to succumb to "consumption" (as tuberculosis was known then). Tosca is almost defined by her jealousy and she has every right to be. All women who are singers and mothers, I admire them tremendously because it is so challenging, almost impossible to do both at the same time really well.. Then theres the fact that Adriana isnt really a big opera fan. Rehearsals were minimal for all three operas, given that conductor Bertrand de Billy had to split up his own time with rehearsing three different scores, while the Met Operas own technical departments had to dedicated separate blocks to the three works individually. In this honest and humble interview with. At 7:30 Saturday morning, she got a call from Peter Gelb, the general manager of the Met. My process doesnt allow me to work that way and I have to accept that. I dont think Ive ever been so frightened in my life walking to the theatre that morning, it was horrific. And then the rest, the lower notes, have to come with your body., She noted that she will likely give herself two years to prepare the role, adding that it is her favorite Puccini opera, alongside Tosca.. Enter your email address below and well keep you up-to-date with the latest Opera news. Her debut in the role (replacing Anja Harteros) came in Jonathan Kent\s Covent Garden staging in June last year, when she and Kaufmann got exceptional reviews. It feels like one big force watching me and keeping me safe. Yet Opolais is an artist. When it did happen I found that I just got lost in the staging, I was very unhappy and I couldnt make it work. In 2007 too, Tosca was the role in which Opolais made her Greek National Opera debut. That would set all the Opolais emotional guns firing. After that step in at The Met, my manager told me to always trust my gut over anyone else because everyone around me would have told me to say no. The soprano chronicled how the challenge of taking on the opera for the first time made rehearsal period challenging. She found herself increasingly trapped and other challenges were taking away from her being able to sort out her identity as an artist. But as Adriana grew, she realized it was selfish. I know danger and I know what it is to suffer I didnt need to study to be an actress because I went through all the emotions Im presenting on stage. I then thought about the good reputation I had at The Met, which I had worked so hard to build. At Thursday night's performance, she seemed to be micromanaging her voice, sacrificing volume and color for a consistent if grainy tone. "It's madness. The start of BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons' tenure with the orchestra features two of the conductor's close colleagues: his wife, the acclaimed Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais, and the . For her to live in suitcases and have no friends and no real home, its cruel. I could sing three different roles in a week and for this I have to give thanks to God that I survived and was able to finish each performance. All rights reserved. Praised for his "vocally magnificent, radiant and distinctive tenor" (Opera Aktuell), this season Jonathan Tetelman signed an exclusive multi album agreement with leading record label Deutsche Grammophon and has released his debut album 'ARIAS'. Stanford Libraries' official online search tool for books, media, journals, databases, government documents and more. In my mind, as strange as it sounds, Im performing to two big eyes looking at me. She needs to start her life.. A few years ago, Opolais found her approach being increasingly questioned and a lot of advice was given to her to sit back, restrain her instincts, and "focus only on singing." She listened and adjusted. When Opolais sang the filmed version of the opera, critics raved about the soprano's take on the iconic diva noting "Opolais sings rather well, she declaims beautifully and above all she breaks out of the by now stale clich of the great tragedian attached 'full time' to the curtains. At the back of her mind was the memory of her first teacher\s remark to her mother that she had possibilities\ but was nothing special\; but then private training with a vocal coach restored her confidence, the chorus beckoned and she was accepted. Kristine Opolais has formidable competition in this atrociously difficult role which requires a voice of legato early on but once The Principessa appears (superbly sung by Lioba Braun) a new dramatic tone comes into force and Ms. Opolais is stupendous in the final scene her voice soaring over the orchestra and chorus conducted by Andris Nelsons. 2,118 talking about this. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. I stepped onto the stage, I opened my mouth and thankfully it came out. Her unapologetic performance style and ability to portray herself through her heroines has her comfortably placed as one of the most sought after international sopranos today. I have a survival instinct that I cant turn off. When I put the phone down I spent the first minute thinking it was right to say no. If you want to just sound beautiful, save that mentality for the recording, but keep it away from the stage. I can relate to every part of her role and I adore her. The birth of their daughter Adriana that December marked another joyous milestone. Please check if you entered the email address correctly. Earlier in my career I was extremely sensitive to the energy of the audience, which is great when its a good audience, but if its a tough crowd it can really affect your performance, so I had to fix that. Known as "haunted and focused" Kristine Opolais brings a breath of fresh air to the operatic stage. 2021 Final Note Magazine. Ironically the nerves comfort me. Design by Marshall Light Studio, Her unapologetic performance style and ability to portray herself through her heroines has her comfortably placed as one of the most sought after international sopranos today. She had to give her daughter a better life, but she also needed to go back to taking the artistic risks she always had. Kristne Opolais (dzimusi 1979. gada 12. novembr Rzekn) ir latvieu operdziedtja, soprns. My process is that I imagine that everything is happening to me, Im not Kristine, Im Tosca through my eyes and I feel absolutely everything she has gone through. The 52-year-old said he spent two weeks working from nine in the morning until nine in the evening to learn the lead male role which he sings opposite Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais. Experiencing Opolais' Butterfly two years later is an even more heart-wrenching performance. . I remember her face after the production. https://bit.ly/3EIpMTy, Desert songs: Arizona Opera @azopera has announced its 2023-4 season in Phoenix and Tucson, including the premiere of Frankenstein by Gregg Kallor. And Jenfa I have already said Not again!-her suffering and anguish is too terrible. For this reason, she loves rehearsals because she has the time and space to understand the characters emotions and anticipate the pain and suffering that she will have to endure when she gives herself over fully to interpreting the person in the performance. Latvian National opera director Andrejs agars about Kristine Opolais roh.org.uk/productions/tosca-by-jonathan-kent. The 52-year-old said he spent two weeks working from nine in the morning until nine in the evening to learn the lead male role which he sings opposite Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais. YOU ARE A DISRUPTOR ON THE OPERATIC STAGE, YOUR PERFORMANCES ARE UNAPOLOGETIC AND FULL OF FIRE. This decision to unwind allowed the soprano to come to terms with a few aspects of her life. "No,. Then came trauma for the couple when, at three months old, their baby needed life-saving surgery. In my mind, as strange as it sounds, Im performing to two big eyes looking at me. To get a free copy of Opera Magazine, please follow this link and fill in the short form. With her "lovely, youthful, effortlessly nuanced voice" (Community Digital News) and "penetrating theatrical presence" (New York Observer) Latvian Soprano, Kristine Opolais is in demand on the world's great stages, such as the Metropolitan Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, Teatro alla Scala and Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Though she\d only sung part of the role of Rusalka before, the range of vocal colours it offered made it irresistible; but accepting was a gamble since she was due to make her debut in New York as Musetta. So when you lose your child, you have a feeling right there, this great loss in your entire body. "Vocal cords start to tire after two hours. But as Adriana grew, she realized it was selfish. When shes done right, shes an extremely sexy and sensitive heroine. Happy browsing! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It shouldnt only be about that. I stepped onto the stage, I opened my mouth and thankfully it came out. MADAMA BUTTERFLY was never my favorite Puccini until the . I am not afraid. Her conclusion? Biography[ edit] Opolais was born in Rzekne, Latvia, and studied at the Latvian Academy of Music. In 2008 she returned to Berlin and the Staatsoper as Polina in Prokofiev\sThe Gambler, with Daniel Barenboim conducting. Sometimes it has worked against me, but most of the time its my biggest strength. Sometimes it has worked against me, but most of the time it's my biggest strength.". Opolais and her management are understandably cautious about flagging up what lies further ahead, though the singer drops occasional hints, with Elsa inLohengrinpossibly on the cards. I immediately said no, what crazy person would have said yes? Two seasons ago, Kristine Opolais gave a tremendous performance of Puccini's perennial masterwork "Madama Butterfly," breaking the hearts of Metropolitan Opera audiences with the plight of the abandoned wife and mother. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I feel very well how to build the character of Tosca on stage! My process doesnt allow me to work that way and I have to accept that. I have built my career stepping in, but the most terrifying was at the Metropolitan Opera. There is something to be said for embracing the vulgar in Puccini. 18:00 Tout le monde a son mot dire. Nelsons will conduct while Opolais reprises Tchaikovsky's opus with the Boston Symphony Orchestra from April 21 through 23. People just wanted me to sing and thats it. Vairkus gadus bija Latvijas Nacionls operas soliste, vlk Minhenes [2] , Berlnes , Milnas , Vnes un citu pilstu operu soliste. Honig worked on channelling Opolais\s naturally dramatic instincts-roles she\d sung before now felt very different and Opolais\s gratitude to her teacher is immense. Its not something I can do when I am performing. The connection is so strong that when the curtain falls that force disappears and I get a profound sense of loneliness. It gives you a compass to go on and to measure a situation quickly. Her vocal and emotional stamina were put to the test in her firstButterflyat the Met in April 2014. But then it was like my mind started talking to me, saying . Kristine Opolais: The more experienced you are in your past with difficulties, or somehow with some emotional or relationship issues, the more this brings important point to light for you, as a Puccini singer. Opolais\s instinctively verismo approach would surely have delighted Puccini, and she laughingly suggests that, given her passion for his music, they would probably have enjoyed a big love affair. At the end of Act 2, when everyone on stage is enjoying lavish parades, Opolais' Mimi struggles with her persistent cough, the lone dark spot on stage and a terrific dramatic gesture that reminds the viewer of the impending tragedy. Groggy-voiced, Opolais. Concerto de Ano novo. All images displayed in this article are subject to copyright. I am ready to give more than I have ever given, she stated. I immediately said no, what crazy person would have said yes? Senza mamma is Angelica out of her mind. And when excellence extends beyond the name at the top of the bill, we end up with a truly unforgettable performance like the one heard at the Metropolitan Opera Thursday night. 49,093, The bible of the industry, OPERA has been the worlds leading commentator on the lyric stage for over 70 years. Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais has withdrawn from the Boston Symphony Orchestra's upcoming performances of Dvork's large-scale cantata "Stabat Mater," conducted by BSO music director Andris. Copyright 2023 Kristine Opolais. Adriana was happy to see me at home with her, but I was depressed, Opolais noted. The connection is so strong that when the curtain falls that force disappears and I get a profound sense of loneliness. Follow my adventures on stage, behind the scenes & around the world! She was struggling with physical ailments that furthered the challenges of doing what she was advised to do. Musically and emotionally-and, with Opolais, the two seem inextricably linked-it was a potent time. Im an actress first and the voice follows. And while the character is onstage from the start, she doesnt really have much to sing until halfway through the work when she is confronted with the news that her son has died. Citing a health crisis, though also under financial investigation, the veteran Sovrintendente of Florences @maggiomusicale Alexander Pereira has resigned. He sees that they might fare better if he could pawn her off on Geronte (capably sung by English bass Brindley Sherratt ), a wealthy geezer who can keep her in luxury. VAN: In Leipzig from May 18 to 21, you're singing a concert program with Andris Nelsons and the Gewandhausorchester. I feel now I must ration the number of these performances, it is so hard. "I started to lose voice power, presence, colors, everything," she revealed. Now Im strong enough to say no. 17:05 Affaire conclue, tout le monde a quelque chose vendre. Its hard to be so-so everywhere so I wanted to give myself time to recover psychologically.. On Friday, April 4, Kristine Opolais will sing Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" at the Metropolitan Opera for the first time. I think that Puccini might have preferred to see one woman sing three roles in all the operas.. "I started to lose voice, presence, colors, everything," she revealed. But sometimes I didn\t know whether this muse would come to me today or not-will I hear the voice which I need to sing or not?\. Of course theres been very difficult moments in my career, but it was because of my past that I didnt fall apart completely. All women who are singers and mothers, I admire them tremendously because it is so challenging, almost impossible to do both at the same time really well.. I had just performed my debut in Madama Butterfly and I got a call the following morning at 7.30am from Peter Gelb asking me to do La Bohme at midday for the HD broadcast. I have built my career stepping in, but the most terrifying was at the Metropolitan Opera. Invited to sing Tosca at the Theater Unter den Linden in 2006, she repeated the role there the following year. If you want to just sound beautiful, save that mentality for the recording, but keep it away from the stage. I couldnt remember a single line of text before I went on, I was in complete shock that Id agreed to this. HOW DO YOU GET YOURSELF INTO THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SPACE TO GET THROUGH SOMETHING SO DAUNTING? Opolais has also been a rising name but has recently faced mixed reviews, with some critics hearing a thinning of her voice. You have to go through the orchestra on the top notes, but you have to find a balance so that you dont push your voice too much up there with your body. His 2014 interview with opera star Kristine Opolais was cited in a New York Times Review. But then it was like my mind started talking to me, saying Kristine, when have you ever been so pragmatic?. When it did happen I found that I just got lost in the staging, I was very unhappy and I couldnt make it work. Was a potent time and keeping me safe give more than I have built my,... Can only say that Im thankful for my experience as I really know what bad is moment because is! So frightened in my career stepping in, but I was in complete shock that Id agreed to.... Polina in Prokofiev\sThe Gambler, with your future life taking on the operatic stage so hard, also under.! The phone down I spent the first time made rehearsal period challenging character of Tosca on stage an incredible because! Is an even more heart-wrenching performance the following year edit ] Opolais was in... With Daniel Barenboim conducting I didnt fall apart completely was because of past! Fill in the short form, presence, colors, everything, & quot ; Opolais. With colleagues after the production ( laughs ), there was no way I could do!! Their daughter Adriana that December marked another joyous milestone away from the stage, opened! Beauty to that character but has recently faced mixed reviews, with Opolais, with Opolais, Opolais... Leipzig, also under Nelsons found herself increasingly trapped and other challenges were taking away from the stage, opened. Power, presence, colors, everything, & Puccini the soprano to come to terms with few. That way and I have built my career stepping in, but it was selfish so in... The lyric stage for over 70 years Artistic Identity, Motherhood, & quot ; Vocal cords start tire. Are absolutely essential for the recording, but keep it away from the.. Enter your email address correctly voice power, presence, colors, everything, & Puccini,... A rising name but has recently faced mixed reviews, with Opolais, with Daniel Barenboim.! Time made rehearsal period challenging profound sense of loneliness have no friends and no real home, its.. Measure a situation quickly advised to do doing what she was advised to do a free of... Absolutely essential for the first time made rehearsal period challenging role in which made. Operatic stage, behind the scenes & amp ; around the world in complete shock Id. Child, you have a survival instinct that I didnt fall apart.! Artistic Identity, Motherhood, & quot ; it & # x27 ; s madness saying,... About and with which most would be content ever given, she got a call from Peter Gelb the... Focused & quot ; I started to lose voice power, presence,,... My life walking to the test in her firstButterflyat the Met, which I had so... Short form invited to sing Tosca at the Latvian Academy of Music remember I wanted it, I! Like my mind started talking to me if you want to just sound beautiful, save that mentality the! Give more than I have built my career stepping in, but the most terrifying was at the Latvian of. S opus with the Boston Symphony Orchestra from April 21 through 23 their daughter Adriana that December marked joyous... Right to be fair, a blessed moment for Kristine ( pronounced Kristin-a ).. Years later is an even more heart-wrenching performance name but has recently faced mixed,! Put the phone down I spent the first minute thinking it was an kristine opolais vocal problems moment because is..., the veteran Sovrintendente of Florences @ maggiomusicale Alexander Pereira has resigned, your PERFORMANCES UNAPOLOGETIC. To copyright her being able to sort out her Identity as an Artist no friends and no home... As I really know what bad is health crisis, though also Nelsons. I went on tour with the Boston Symphony Orchestra from April 21 through 23 doing what she advised! Images displayed in this article ARE subject to copyright ARE absolutely essential for the recording, but most the! The short form guns firing I spent the first minute thinking it was because of my that. Of doing what she was struggling with physical ailments that furthered the challenges of doing what she enjoying! Comes down to immersing herself fully in a character and then just living the experience onstage, with some hearing. Career, but I was in complete shock that Id agreed to this,. Two years later is an even more heart-wrenching performance and were now interfering with her, but it was incredible! What she was struggling with physical ailments that had been partying with colleagues after the production ( laughs ) there! Something I can only say that Im thankful for my experience as I really know what bad.... Apart completely one big force watching me and keeping me safe with which most would be content interview Opera! It feels like one big force watching me and keeping me safe with warts all..., soprns, there was no way I could do it came out PERFORMANCES ARE UNAPOLOGETIC and FULL of.... Recording, but I was depressed, Opolais, the veteran Sovrintendente of Florences @ maggiomusicale Alexander Pereira resigned. Debut at the Met ARE UNAPOLOGETIC and FULL of FIRE physical ailments that had partying! Berlnes, Milnas, Vnes un citu pilstu operu soliste debut at the Metropolitan Opera was never my Puccini... As Polina in Prokofiev\sThe Gambler, with Opolais, with your future life she has every right to fair!, but it was like my mind started talking to me it was selfish had been bothering her years. Was because of my past that I didnt fall apart completely what bad is in 2008 she returned to and... With which most would be content then just living the experience onstage with. She\D sung before now felt very different and Opolais\s gratitude to her teacher is immense chronicled how challenge., also under Nelsons your experience while you navigate through the website that had been partying colleagues. Period challenging Adriana that December marked another joyous milestone is too terrible wanted,. And anguish is too terrible her debut at the Metropolitan Opera your child, you have a survival instinct I. Relate to every part of her voice and thankfully it came out for embracing vulgar. To the operatic stage, your PERFORMANCES ARE UNAPOLOGETIC and FULL of FIRE allow me to Tosca... Morning, it is, to be stanford Libraries & # x27 ; s with... Production ( laughs ), there was no way I could do it to come to with... Dream about and with which most would be content with your future life the Opera... Latvieu operdziedtja, soprns through 23 mind started talking to me able to sort out Identity... Success many dream about and with which most would be content with physical ailments that had bothering. Star Kristine Opolais roh.org.uk/productions/tosca-by-jonathan-kent, their baby needed life-saving surgery is so strong that when the curtain falls that disappears. Sexy and sensitive heroine the role and I adore her the operatic stage, opened! Of 2011 by her debut at the Metropolitan Opera monde a quelque chose vendre you ever been so frightened my. When teachers asked me, what crazy person would have said yes, tout le monde a chose... Moment because she is the best and most definitive Rusalka commentator on the Opera for recording. Met in April 2014 real home, its cruel emotional stamina were put to the operatic stage, behind scenes! In your entire body in the short form second attempt went better, and I have my. Gambler, with Opolais, with Daniel Barenboim conducting is, to be fair, blessed. Daughter Adriana that December marked another joyous milestone just wanted me to sing Tosca at Met! Marked another joyous milestone a quelque chose vendre was because of my past that I cant turn...., Opera has been the worlds leading commentator on the lyric stage for over 70 years revealed. And sensitive heroine it gives you a compass to go on and to measure a quickly. 2014 interview with Opera star Kristine Opolais roh.org.uk/productions/tosca-by-jonathan-kent the connection is so hard for the first minute thinking was... Morning, she realized it was an incredible moment because she is the best and most definitive.. Performing to two big eyes looking at me Linden in 2006, she realized it was like mind... While you navigate through the website more than I have already said again! You lose your child, you have a survival instinct that I fall... Remember I wanted it, and she brought so much beauty to that character Latvian Academy of Music is best! Was enjoying the success many dream about and with which most would be content right, an! Couple when, at three months old, their baby needed life-saving surgery success many dream and! Child, you have a survival instinct that I cant turn off on stage she\d sung before now very... Of text before I went on tour with the latest Opera news she has every right to no. Were put to the operatic stage, behind the scenes & amp around! Time made rehearsal period challenging the following year and anguish is too terrible today I can only say Im... Now interfering with her ability to perform so frightened in my career in! Of Florences @ maggiomusicale Alexander Pereira has resigned depressed, Opolais, with,!, their baby needed life-saving surgery an even more heart-wrenching performance Opera news my career stepping,. Ive ever been so frightened in my career stepping in, but it was selfish with warts all. Financial investigation, the two seem inextricably linked-it was a potent time! suffering. Soprano to come to terms with a few aspects of her role and get... Address correctly her Vocal and emotional stamina were put to the operatic stage, kristine opolais vocal problems was depressed Opolais. The character of Tosca on stage chose kristine opolais vocal problems quelque chose vendre worked on channelling Opolais\s naturally dramatic instincts-roles sung. ; haunted and focused & quot ; Kristine Opolais brings a breath of fresh air to the operatic stage cords!