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Ten Questions with Daniela Mack

Ten Questions with…

Daniela Mack,
mezzo-soprano

Sister Helen Prejean in Dead Man Walking




1. My favorite thing about being a singer is:

Having the chance to embody a character who is different from myself.  I love the process of discovering my character’s voice, and then learning how to communicate that through my own singing.

2. The greatest challenge in being a singer is: 
Staying healthy.  So many things affect the singer’s instrument: weather, travel, sleep, diet, hydration, allergies, over/under use, etc.  Singers try to create the best possible environment in order to be healthy, but many of these factors are out of our control.  The upside is that no live performance will ever be exactly like another, which leaves room for spontaneous and wonderful things to happen on stage.

3. A live music performance I’ve attended that I will never forget is:

My first opera.  I was 7 years old and attended a college production of La Traviata and was totally captivated.  I loved the music, the costumes, the set, and was so mad at the end because I didn’t want Violetta to die!  Immediately after leaving the theater, I locked myself in my room so nobody could hear me pretend to sing like an opera singer. 

4. A few of my favorite films are: 

The Goonies, Labyrinth, Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jone’s Diary, Batman movie (Burton and Nolan), Gigi, any Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, The Usual Suspects, any Gene Kelly film…I could go on and on 🙂 

5. Three things I can’t live without are: 

Love, my family, chocolate.

6. My number one hobby is: 
Reading (but binge-watching my favorite tv shows is a close second!). 

7. If you could perform with any singer, retired or deceased, who would it be?

 Tatiana Troyanos, Frank Sinatra, or Jacques Brel. 

8. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?

Education or Ballroom Dance.


9. What role do you wish you could sing that you could never sing because it’s the wrong voice type/gender?
Scarpia in Tosca. 

10. Describe your favorite moment on stage. 

The first time I’m on stage with the orchestra always overwhelms me with joy.  The wash of sound and energy that rises up from the pit is so invigorating, and it always reminds me of how blessed I am to be able to do what I love.

See Daniela in Madison Opera’s production of Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking April 25 and 27 at Overture Hall. Tickets start at just $18!

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