Where did you grow up?
Corning, New York
Where did you first develop your love of singing?
Tanglewood Summer Music Festival in Lenox, Massachusetts
Where did you train and/or go to school?
Westminster Choir College school of Music of Rider University
Tell me about the character you play in this opera.
Faust is a man that has been given the body of youth, but struggles with the mindset of a man with many years of life experience.
Why is this role interesting for you to perform?
I have always been intrigued with the idea that one can simply—as if by magic—acquire something and believe that there are no consequences to that action. Playing a Faustian role reminds me of the importance of knowing the consequences of my actions.
What’s the most challenging thing for you about performing this particular opera?
Finding the line between young and old, being that Faust is an old man living in the body of youth. The challenge is being able to express the turmoil that only age can invoke, yet portraying the life of innocence and recklessness that only youth possess.
What’s the most rewarding thing about performing this role?
Because this is my role debut, until now, Faust has only been notes on paper and the joy of hearing others sing the part. Now I have the honor of breathing a life into the role from my own soul.
Even though this opera was written many years ago, why is it just as relevant to today’s audience?
We are intrigued by someone making a change and watching that person’s life either flourish or fail. Look at all the reality TV shows about makeovers. If the result is successful, then we are proud for the participants and are perhaps inspired to make changes of our own. If the result is failure, we feel good that we did not make their mistake. This opera is a chance for us to see history repeat itself. The story of Faust is classic in that we all have made decisions that are “Faustian” in nature…give up one thing to gain another. One can always learn and perhaps improve one’s own life from observing this history.
In this opera, Faust sells his soul to the devil for renewed youth and a second chance at love. Is there anything you would “sell your soul” for?
Sure! The ability to control time, so when things are bad I can move it faster and when things are good I can slow it down.
What are some other operas that are personal favorites of yours, and why?
- The Rake’s Progress: It is another version of the Faustian story and I’m intrigued by that.
- Werther: The music is so lush and though dark emotionally one can be enraptured by the beauty of the power of true love.
- Romeo and Juliet: A classic tale of youth and love having the insight to look beyond feud.
- Falstaff: The opera in which while performing it I met my wife.
- La Bohème: Who doesn’t like this opera?
