A wonderful article written by DMA candidate at the University of Utah, Emily Nelson. U of U students, Teacher Featured in Utah Opera’s Salome Utah Opera’s production of Salome will feature two U of U DMA students, mezzo-soprano Gretchen Windt and baritone Tyler Oliphant, and Director of Opera, tenor Robert Breault. “It’s rare that at a University, we have the opportunity to work with a world class opera company,” Breault observes, noting the strong connection between our music department and Utah Opera. In Breault’s view, the fact that our students are performing on the mainstage of a professional company is critical to their professional development, whether they continue as opera singers or choose academic careers. “We’re not just training people; they are actually getting work while they’re earning their doctorate.” All three singers have sung at Utah Opera in the past. Breault most recently sang a critically acclaimed performance as Tamino in The Magic Flute last spring. Windt originally came to Salt Lake to be in the Apprentice Artist program at Utah Symphony and Opera, and has performed on their mainstage before. “I’m thrilled to be back,” she says. “This is the kind of production I especially love: the production has a strong, edgy look and the direction is simple and honest.” Oliphant has also been featured by Utah Opera, and was also in The Magic Flute last season. “It’s exciting to work for a professional company, but you get used to it like any other job,” he explains. Utah Opera has supported the U’s opera program for years. Artistic Director Christopher McBeth periodically visits opera workshop to give feedback to students, and the company brought visiting composer Mark Adamo for the U’s production of his opera, Little Women. The connection between academic work and performing is important for student musicians. “When U professors and students are involved in Utah Opera productions, it helps bridge that gap,” observes Windt. Breault emphasizes this link. “Little did I realize that professional work would matter a lot in getting an academic job,” he says. Breault notes that Oliphant and Windt are making important connections in the business working with a conductor and director who travel all over the country. “You start out doing small roles,” says Breault. “Celena Shafer started out by being noticed by the company while doing her master’s degree here.” “Stewart Robinson (conductor) has noted already that the cast is very tight,” Breault remarks with pride. “At some point he’ll find out that they are students.”
Posted on: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 16:18:48 +0000
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