Benjamin Liupaogo – Tenor
1. Where were you born/ where were you raised?
I was born in Castro Valley, California. I was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.
2. If you weren’t a vocalist, what profession would you be in?
I would be in the medical field. I like to help people.
3. The first opera I was ever in was…
Orpheus in the Underworld.
4. My favorite opera is…
Aida.
5. My favorite pre/post show meal is…
Pre-show would be crackers and many different types of cheese and meats. Post-show would be cheesecake.
6. People would be surprised to know…
That I am a big teddy bear!
7. I like to binge-watch…
Shameless, Bones, Charmed, Numbers, Harry Potter 1 – 7.
8. What four people would you like to invite for a dinner party?
Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Sondheim, Franz Liszt
9. What is the worst costume you’ve ever worn?
In a production of Candide, I had on genie pants and a top. They were like pajamas but way too big for my body. I looked like the marshmallow man from Ghostbusters.
10. Why should people go to the opera?
To experience a beautiful art form and to be amazed at what is required of an opera caliber singer. First and foremost go for the singing. It takes a lot of work to make singing sound easy in an operatic production.
11. Bonus: What’s one question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer)?
Q: Why did you choose music as your field/career?
A: I chose classical music and voice as my career because I love and have a passion for this art form. My purpose for this career path was for myself. I made a choice that I would pursue this career for the sake of the art and the music it had to offer to others as well as myself. I like to help people, and this is one way that I can help others. Music has always given me life and I could not see myself in any field other than music.
Megan Ott – Mezzo-Soprano
1. Where were you born/ where were you raised?
Erie, Pennsylvania.
2. If you weren’t a vocalist, what profession would you be in?
Voiceover actor. I am currently perfecting my “operatic chipmunk voice.”
3. The first opera I was ever in was…
Amahl and the Night Visitors. I was the Page!
4. My favorite opera is…
La Cenerentola
5. My favorite post-show meal is…
Post-show, I love eating Italian food and having a nice glass of wine.
6. People would be surprised to know…
I can solve a Rubik’s cube in 47 seconds.
7. I like to binge-watch…
The Office. Lately I’ve also been watching Ozark.
8. What four people would you like to invite for a dinner party?
Abe Lincoln, Ellen DeGeneres, Gael García Bernal, and Salvador Dalí.
9. What is the best costume you’ve ever worn?
It was in a production of The Magic Flute, when I sang the Third Lady. The costume was steampunk meets super woman, all tied together with glowing lightning bolts.
10. Why should people go to the opera?
Because it is a chance for them to step out of reality and into something magical for a few hours. It is a chance to find peace and can be extremely healing, especially with all of the negativity in our world right now.
11. Bonus: What’s one question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer)?
Q: Where do you want to travel to next?
A: Iceland is somewhere I’ve been itching to explore.
Don’t miss the chance to see Megan all year long, on our mainstage and in our community. Visit madisonopera.org for more information.
In the Park with…
Joseph Mechavich
Conductor, Opera in the Park
1. Where were you born / raised?
Long Lake, Minnesota (western suburb of Minneapolis). I currently live in Philadelphia: The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.
2. What is in your ideal picnic basket?
A delicious rosé from Provence.
3. My most memorable moment performing outside was…
… conducting the Star Wars Suite with the Florida Orchestra for 15,000 souls in Raymond James Stadium/Tampa… especially Darth Vader’s Theme… Jumbotron!!!
4. My favorite outdoor performance I’ve attended was…
…anything and everything at Tanglewood.
5. My favorite summertime activity is…
…(see number 2)
6. My ideal vacation is….
…lying on a deserted beach and drinking (see number 2).
Join Joseph for Opera in the Park on Saturday, July 22 at 8pm in Garner Park. FREE admission; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
In the Park with…
Cecilia Violetta López
Soprano, Opera in the Park
1. Where were you born / raised?
I was born and raised in Rupert, Idaho to Mexican parents. I’m a first generation Mexican-American.
2. What is in your ideal picnic basket?
Mom used to make us tacos de frijoles (kept warm by wrapping them in aluminum foil and leaving them on the dashboard) for lunch when we worked in the beet fields. Though our lunch breaks weren’t/aren’t considered a normal picnic to most folks, my favorite memories were our lunch breaks that mom ended up turning into make-shift picnics. TACOS!
3. My most memorable moment performing outside was…
…when I was a teenager singing with a mariachi band for a local rodeo in Idaho. It’s my favorite because it was the first time I forgot the words to a song!! One of the mariachi band members was super supportive, encouraging me to repeat the first verse (while we were on stage!) to make it sound like I never forgot the words. That didn’t work. The band kept playing and after awhile, the words eventually came to me. Embarrassing!
4. My favorite outdoor performance I’ve attended was…
When I was 13 or 14, my parents took me to see one of the last Mexican “charros” perform live at the Plaza de Toros in Morelia, Michoacán. The charro we saw was Antonio Aguilar and his entire family of singers! Mr. Aguilar took his dancing horses to the performance, to boot! I remember being in a constant state of awe — Mr. Aguilar was such a great singer and performer.
5. My favorite summertime activity is…
…spending my daughter’s birthday with her!
6. My ideal vacation is….
It hasn’t happened yet, but I’d like it to be Bora Bora or Tahiti — away from everything.
7. Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).
Q: Is it true that the members of the First Regular Session of the Sixty-Fourth Idaho Legislature, the Senate, and the House of Representatives passed a resolution honoring and congratulating you for your many achievements in the world of opera?
A: YES! it’s true. “The resolution was written by Opera Idaho board member Yvonne McCoy and introduced by Boise Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb. It honors the life and work of the opera singer from Rupert, Idaho.”
Join Cecilia for Opera in the Park on Saturday, July 22 at 8pm in Garner Park. FREE admission; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
In the Park with…
Will Liverman
Baritone, Opera in the Park
1. Where were you born / raised?
Born in Norfolk, Virginia and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
2. What is in your ideal picnic basket?
Biscuits and jelly, fried chicken, sweet potatoes, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, catfish, cheese curds from The Old Fashioned, and a grilled cheese with extra bacon.
3. My most memorable moment performing outside was…
I did a performance for the Grant Park Festival at night and the stage lights attracted every large bug in attendance. Several nearly flew in my mouth every time I sang. I have never been more mortified while singing.
4. My favorite outdoor performance I’ve attended was…
The first year I attended the Stars at the Lyric concert when I was a freshman in college.
5. My favorite summertime activity is…
EATING indoors.
6. My ideal vacation is….
Dublin, Ireland!
7. Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).
Q: Do I want to get breakfast?
A: YES!
Join Will for Opera in the Park on Saturday, July 22 at 8pm in Garner Park. FREE admission; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
