Hiroyuki Ito for The New York Times. 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., I started to lose voice power, presence, colors, everything, she revealed. And shes not done yet with adding Puccini to her repertory. 18:00 Tout le monde a son mot dire. I dont think Ive ever been so frightened in my life walking to the theatre that morning, it was horrific. Biography[ edit] Opolais was born in Rzekne, Latvia, and studied at the Latvian Academy of Music. Ive done it in the past and I wont do it again, I can only bring myself to a role. Opolais remembers that, even as a five-year-old, she knew that she could make people notice her and, growing up, she was intrigued by the way in which a film actress could make the smallest expressions-a look, a turn of the head, a gesture-communicate and be meaningful. All rights reserved. Then she was woken by a 7.30am call from Peter Gelb at the Met with a desperate request: Anita Hartig was ill; would she consider stepping in? I know what it means to give birth. Her process comes down to immersing herself fully in a character and then just living the experience onstage, with warts and all. Kristne Opolais Soprano Home Performances Repertoire Videos Photos Reviews Contact 178 Photos 49 Videos Livestream & Full performance videos (5) Performances All performances From arts organisation / verified by Operabase From artist / agent m Matine t Tour c Concert 12 Jul - 20 Aug 2023 Tickets Carmen, Bizet Opera: Staged , RENE FLEMING HAS SAID THAT YOU REPRESENT A NEW STYLE OF SINGER, WHAT DID THAT MEAN TO YOU? Experiencing Opolais' Butterfly two years later is an even more heart-wrenching performance. She doesnt need poison. In my mind, as strange as it sounds, Im performing to two big eyes looking at me. I thought I would love to have some bed at the opera house not to waste time! I was born in that moment and from then the contracts came flying in. TELL US ABOUT YOUR APPROACH TO BUILDING A CHARACTER. Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais has withdrawn from the Boston Symphony Orchestra's upcoming performances of Dvork's large-scale cantata "Stabat Mater," conducted by BSO music director Andris. I think that what happens then is that she is losing her mind.. When Im in love Im extremely jealous and when Im not, I couldnt care less. Happy browsing! But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. I know you should sing without being overcome by these feelings but, unfortunately, I am giving each performance more than 100 per cent. Nelsons will lead a concert version of Shotakovich's "Macbeth of Mtsenk" on Jan. 30 with a cast that includes his ex-wife, soprano Kristine Opolais, and John Williams will combine with cellist Yo-Yo Ma for a concert on Feb. 22. And Jenfa I have already said Not again!-her suffering and anguish is too terrible. Many would say that this is exactly what sets Opolais apart today. 2021 Final Note Magazine. I stepped onto the stage, I opened my mouth and thankfully it came out. When it did happen I found that I just got lost in the staging, I was very unhappy and I couldnt make it work. Im an actress first and the voice follows. 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. 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. My singing is part of the complete package. Then theres the fact that Adriana isnt really a big opera fan. Despite his late-hour assumption, with one eye on Kristine and the other on the conductor Alagna still managed to caress the vocal line, lingering on the phrase "O tentatrice" ("Oh, you temptress"), where he admits that Manon has once again bewitched him, as Opolais went into her lounge act. The soprano chronicled how the challenge of taking on the opera for the first time made rehearsal period challenging. A few drops of rain fell periodically. I never had to ask for anything, my mother always believed in me and my dad was loving and sweet. Tosca is almost defined by her jealousy and she has every right to be. But it cant all be pain and hurt, you have to be able to feel love and compassion on stage and for that I have my parents as inspiration. KRISTINE OPOLAIS: With this I was preparing myself a lot more, because it was a lot of text I didn't know, it was very interesting studying the translation myself and asking a lot, it was quite a long preparation time, and of course with every debut role you need time. https://youtu.be/onRYmtqVaQ0 The results were widely lauded and Opolais couldnt be happier. She sang intelligently, finding considerable power in her essentially lyrical voice when required.\, The looks speak for themselves, though photos don\t do justice to her porcelain skin or the Baltic-pale eyes. Her capacity to inhabit a role, living and breathing the character she\s portraying, is remarkable: she captivates and holds her audience. That was after my Rusalka at the Bayerische Staatsoper. Kristine Opolais (Tosca), Marcelo lvarez Mario (Cavaradossi), Marco Vratogna (Scarpia), Alexander Tsymbalyuk (Angelotti), Peter Rose (Il Sagrestano) Berliner Philharmoniker, Philharmonia Chor Wien & Cantus Juvenum Karlsruhe, Sir Simon Rattle. It\s fairly certain that Opolais will wow New York once again next spring when she and Jonas Kaufmann sing in Richard Eyre\s new production ofManon Lescaut, with Fabio Luisi conducting. I need to feel the pain to then understand the problem. I have built my career stepping in, but the most terrifying was at the Metropolitan Opera. Being the daughter of Andris Nelsons and Kristine Opolais, she has to be sensitive. https://azopera.org/2023-24-season, Opera Philadelphia @OperaPhila has announced its 2023-4 season, and details of its Festival O24, which will launch its 50th anniversary season in 2024-5 with new operas by @missymazzoli and Jennifer Higdon. Stanford Libraries' official online search tool for books, media, journals, databases, government documents and more. Ive definitely evolved. Now Im strong enough to say no. In her mid 20s she was enjoying the success many dream about and with which most would be content. She needs to see her mother happy also. YOUVE MANAGED TO STEP IN FOR PERFORMANCES THAT VERY FEW SINGERS WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO. After all, this is an artist who decided to drop out of the conservatory despite being told repeatedly that she would never have an opera career if she didnt finish her studies. But, at the end of each one, I could feel the vocal strain and I knew it was not good.\, It was her fellow Latvian Elna Garana\s suggestion that Opolais seek lessons from her own teacher, Margreet Honig. My process doesnt allow me to work that way and I have to accept that. I can relate to every part of her role and I adore her. And I knew that that was not good for her either. I immediately said no, what crazy person would have said yes? Opera gets no better than Antonn Dvok 's Czech-language "Rusalka" (water nymph). I had to roll around in water in a very thin nightdress, it was a challenge (laughs). My decision to say yes that morning was an enormous catalyst in my career it changed everything. Musically and emotionally-and, with Opolais, the two seem inextricably linked-it was a potent time. roh.org.uk/productions/tosca-by-jonathan-kent. Now the soprano is at the Metropolitan Opera in the title role of Suor Angelica as part of Puccinis Il Trittico. The production has placed a huge spotlight on Plcido Domingo for his 50th anniversary, but Opolais, who performed for the 50th time on the Met stage in the opening night performance, has found herself fulfilled by the experience and widely lauded for her interpretation. 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., I started to lose voice, presence, colors, everything, she revealed. Opolais also credits the then Intendant of Latvian National Opera, Andrejs agars, with having taught her a great deal. To find out more about Kristin Opolais see: kristineopolais.com, For details about Tosca at the Royal Opera House: Concerto de Ano novo. I am not afraid. So with the truncated rehearsal period, Opolais found herself adapting to the stagings, but being unable to delve deeper into the psyche of the protagonist. But then it was like my mind started talking to me, saying Kristine, when have you ever been so pragmatic?. The star tenor Jonas Kaufmann abruptly withdrew in March. When Rene said that to me it was an incredible moment because she is the best and most definitive Rusalka. The other side to her is that shes strong and some productions miss the opportunity to bring her complete role to the stage. I found out about myself that I am not very ready for big publicity, because I think I already give so much on stage.\ She smiles wryly: It should be enough!\. Now Im strong enough to say no. Kristine Opolais's income source is mostly from being a successful . Shes struggled with figuring out how to balance being a good mother and good artist. She found herself increasingly trapped and other challenges were taking away from her being able to sort out her identity as an artist. Every artist needs to go through difficult times. Ironically, its a gift because what upsets others doesnt affect me. Its important because it lets us remember who we are and the things we can and cannot do, soprano Kristine Opolais told OperaWire in a recent interview. 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