My Met debut was General Rayevsky in War and Peace at 29 years old. There were 52 soloists on stage, 346 people total, and I was given the option not to bow because there were so many people involved in the show. I never took it. I bowed every night with the cast stretched out … More What It’s Like To Sing At The Metropolitan Opera
As the curtain parts, we see two Bohemians busy at work in their run-down Parisian loft. Rodolfo writes. Marcello paints his Red Sea. They have little means, but an artistically rich life. Though this opera is a love story, the loyalty between Rodolfo and Marcello is steadfast throughout, and serves as the premise of … More How I Role | The Loyal Bohemian Painter: Marcello
You sit down at a restaurant and your meal arrives at your table. Unfortunately, there is no fork. You ask the server for a fork. Five minutes go by. No fork. You ask the server again for a fork. They say, “Oh, you need a fork? We’re really busy, but we’ll get it for you.” … More In Defense of Divas
Back when I was a young, wide-eyed music student in my home state of North Carolina, I was looking for a music-related summer gig after my sophomore year. Somehow, I caught wind of an audition in Chapel Hill where all of these outdoor drama companies from across the country were auditioning singers and dancers … More That Time When… I Was Fired And Thought My Career Was Over
I came out of the womb singing. I couldn’t help myself. I sang all the time and didn’t care where I was! What about you? Is your child a natural singer? Do you walk into the room and find them singing to themselves? To the point that they can’t help themselves from singing?Congratulations! These may … More When Your Child Wants to be an Opera Singer: A How-To Guide
Here I am in the sunny Spanish countryside, about to sing my 6th production of Le Nozze di Figaro as The Count. I figured it was about time I gave my thoughts on the man that is loathed by the audience but much loved by his own self. I love having the chance to delve into … More How I Role | The Perfect Opera’s Imperfect Aristocrat: Count Almaviva
Next week marks my first anniversary with my wife, Irina, and I can’t help but write about love. I’ve learned a lot about this juicy topic over the years, especially the difficulties with love and relationships that come with being an opera singer. In my blog post 10 Truths About Life On the Road, I … More Making Love Last As An Opera Singer
As I’m backstage about to head out to sing Brahms Requiem here in Prague, I’m not nervous. I never get nervous for a performance. Maybe for an important rehearsal, but never an actual performance. Getting nervous seems so weird to me, and I recognize that this is not the norm. I’m often asked how my … More My No-Nonsense Tricks to Combatting Nerves
Before I head out on stage for any show, I have a few rituals that get me in the zone. It’s nothing like poppin’ my hoodie, jamming to Eminem on my headphones, and heading out to the Olympics Michael Phelps style… but in a way, it is! Get those Z’s This is the most important … More Getting in the Zone: My Pre-Show Ritual
Last week presented me with the biggest challenge of my operatic career so far: learning a role in just 5 days. And not just any role. This was Sam from Bernstein’s A Quiet Place—that means loads of 5/8, 7/8, and 9/8 time signatures, constant meter changes, counter-intuitive pitches, complex characters… the list goes on! Due to … More Is it Possible to Learn a Role in Just 5 Days?
