In the Park with…
Eleni Calenos
Soprano, Opera in the Park
1. Where were you born / raised?
I was born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece.
2. What is in your ideal picnic basket?
One that includes Spanish tapas and wine.
3. My most memorable moment performing outside was…
Singing a Mozart opera in Barbados where the stage was set by the Caribbean and the orchestra included the sounds of local birds.
4. My favorite outdoor performance I’ve attended was…
A performance of the Bolshoi Ballet in my hometown as a child.
5. My favorite summertime activity is…
Swimming and reading.
6. My ideal vacation is….
A small and remote Greek island in the Aegean Sea.
Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer):
Q: To what extent did you have to withdraw from the common game of life to dedicate yourself to opera, and is it worthwhile after all?
A: Every detail of my life has definitely been modified to fit the career. I am not engaged with opera – it is marriage we are talking about. It is true and devoted love. So, there is no doubt that it has taken me away from usual everyday activities. You ask me if it’s worthwhile… My answer is, every bit. I am hugely grateful for this never-ending source of happiness in my life.
Join Eleni for Opera in the Park on Saturday, July 25 at 8pm in Garner Park. FREE admission; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
In the Park with…
Harold Meers
Tenor, Opera in the Park
1. Where were you born / raised?
I was born on Long Island, New York, but was raised in Pittsburgh, PA and Visalia, CA.
2. What is in your ideal picnic basket?
Salami, soppressata, prosciutto, cheeses, and crackers. And perhaps a vodka and soda…
3. My most memorable moment performing outside was…
Watching the sun set over the horizon while singing La Bohème in Minneapolis.
4. My favorite outdoor performance I’ve attended was…
Hearing my wife sing with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra in Golden Gate Park.
5. My favorite summertime activity is…
Golf. No contest.
6. My ideal vacation is….
Either a golf vacation to Scotland or enjoying the sun and blue water of Hawaii (and they have golf there, too!).
Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer):
Q: If you could possess any other skill, what would it be?
A: I’d love to have the ability to play killer jazz piano.
Join Harold for Opera in the Park on Saturday, July 25 at 8pm in Garner Park. FREE admission; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
In the Park with…
Anna Laurenzo
Mezzo, Opera in the Park
1. Where were you born / raised?
I was born in Des Moines, IA and grew up 15 minutes away in the suburb of Urbandale, IA.
2. What is in your ideal picnic basket?
If someone packed me up a picnic with a nice bottle of Pinot Noir, a variety of Wisconsin cheeses, hummus, and pita chips, I would be a happy girl.
3. My most memorable moment performing outside was…
I’ve never performed opera outdoors before!
4. My favorite outdoor performance I’ve attended was…
Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour outdoor concert in Tallahassee, FL was truly amazing. It had it all: cowboy boots, pickup trucks, and crowds singing along with live country music out under the stars!
5. My favorite summertime activity is…
Playing lawn games.
6. My ideal vacation is….
Up north sitting on a lake in Minnesota with a cooler, limited cell phone reception, and the people I love.
Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer):
Q: What is one quality you wish you could change about yourself?
A: My highly competitive approach to board games. I absolutely love them all and it’s always fun, until I start losing….
Join Anna for Opera in the Park on Saturday, July 25 at 8pm in Garner Park. FREE admission; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
Ten Questions With…
Will Liverman, baritone
Figaro in The Barber of Seville
1. Where were you born / raised?
I was born in Norfolk, Virginia and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia
2. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
I would still be in music, maybe as a teacher or a jazz/gospel pianist. Perhaps both!
3. My favorite opera is…
That’s a tough one, but I have to go with Turandot.
4. My favorite pre-show meal is…
A good hearty breakfast the day of a show.
5. People would be surprised to know that…
I’ve studied piano for over 20 years.
6. What is your favorite song to belt out in a bar / the shower / at karaoke?
Sinatra’s “My Way.”
7. What is your pop culture guilty pleasure?
I have to say I was addicted to Project Runway for a time.
8. A few of my favorite films are…
Hook, The Patriot, and the Insidious movies. I love scary movies!
9. If we were to turn on your ipod right now, what five artists/songs would we see on your recently-played list?
Fischer-Dieskau, Eminem, Kirk Franklin, Katy Perry, Ray Charles.
10. What is the worst costume you’ve ever worn?
I was in drag for my first show at Julliard, wearing a white dress and heels with a good wig. Some would say that I resembled Viola Davis as a woman.
Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer):
Q: What should I eat for dinner?
A: Wendy’s!!
Don’t miss the chance to see Will in The Barber of Seville, a classic operatic comedy! Performances are April 24 and 26 in Overture Hall. Tickets start at $18; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
Ten Questions With…
Emily Fons, mezzo
Rosina in The Barber of Seville
1. Where were you born / raised?
I was born in Milwaukee and raised in the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee.
2. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
I would work with animals in some way, maybe with wildlife rehabilitation or in an animal shelter.
3. My favorite opera is…
Hansel and Gretel.
4. My favorite pre/post-show meal is…
Pre – something filling like a veggie burrito or a big salad with beans and quinoa and avocado.
Post – something terrible like French fries and ice cream. 🙂
5. People would be surprised to know that…
I’ve been a vegetarian for almost 14 years.
6. What is your favorite song to belt out at karaoke?
Probably some Céline Dion or something. 🙂
7. What is your pop culture guilty pleasure?
Probably my Instagram account. I love taking selfies with my dog.
8. A few of my favorite films are…
Death at a Funeral, Noises Off, Clueless, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Office Space, Star Wars 4-6, Home Alone, Jurassic Park, Babe the Gallant Pig. I don’t aspire to any great artistic knowledge of film, as you can see.
9. If we were to turn on your ipod right now, what five artists/songs would we see on your recently-played list?
The only things I really listen to on my ipod are things that I’m working on, so you’d find a lot of opera.
10. What is the best costume you’ve ever worn?
In Laurent Pelly’s production of La Traviata at Santa Fe Opera.
Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer):
Q: Could you please tell us about your dog?
A: I could talk about her until your ears fall off. I rescued her when I was an apprentice in Santa Fe, have had her for 5 1/2 years, and she is my best friend.
Don’t miss the chance to see Emily in The Barber of Seville, a classic operatic comedy! Performances are April 24 and 26 in Overture Hall. Tickets start at $18; visit madisonopera.org for more information.
