Ten Questions with…
Douglas Swenson, tenor
Hortensius in The Daughter of the Regiment
1. My favorite thing about being a singer is:
The challenge. There is a lot going on: memorizing songs and lines, developing character, performing with an orchestra. It is exciting because it is very challenging.
2. The greatest challenge in being a singer is:
Relaxing into the role. Lots of people are watching and I get nervous.
3. A live music performance I’ve attended that I will never forget is: Caitlin Cisler singing Cunegonde from Candide. Those notes are so high it always made me smile when I heard her. You think – “How is that possible?” She nails it.
4. A few of my favorite films are:
Billy Elliot. I think I cried for 5 straight hours after that movie. It gave me a headache. And Babe. I grew up on a farm. “That’ll do, pig”, and I’m a puddle.
5. Three things I can’t live without are:
Love and family, gardening, and coffee.
6. My number one hobby is:
Dancing. Any kind or time of day.
7. If you could perform with any singer, retired or deceased, who would it be?
Paul Simon (and Garfunkel).
8. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
I’m a Project Manager at Sonic Foundry, so I guess that would be it!
9. What role do you wish you could sing that you could never sing because it’s the wrong voice type/gender?
Cinderella in Cinderella (La Cenerentola). Some serious vocal gymnastics in those arias. Gorgeous.
10. Describe your favorite moment on stage.
My favorite moment on stage is in The Secret Garden when Archibald gets to say “And this, my lovely child, is your gaaahden!” You can imagine the sweeping arm gesture, tear on cheek, etc.
See Doug in Madison Opera’s production of Donizetti’s The Daughter of the Regiment (La Fille du Régiment) February 7 & 9 in the Capitol Theater at Overture Center. Tickets start at just $25.Ten Questions with…
Nmon Ford, baritone
Scarpia in Tosca
1. My favorite thing about being a singer is:
The sitzprobe (literally “seated rehearsal”): the first full orchestral run-through of the opera. After days or weeks of rehearsal with only piano, I enjoy the excitement of hearing the instrumentalists tearing into any score that I enjoy greatly, like Tosca or Salome. Alternate favorite thing: singing arias center stage with a spotlight (let’s keep this real).
2. The greatest challenge in being a singer is:
Not living entirely in the future. The way this career works, and with what’s required to pursue it fully, it’s difficult not to view life in terms of the next rehearsal, or the next gig, or the next season.
3. A live music performance I’ve attended that I will never forget is:
Rachelle Ferrell. Genius— and I seldom use that word.
4. A few of my favorite films are:
Aliens. And The Avengers was good.
5. Three things I can’t live without are:
Good weather, ice cream, and Zara.
6. My number one hobby is:
Sleeping late.
7. If you could perform with any singer, retired or deceased, who would it be?
Donny Hathaway.
8. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
Chief Networking Officer at a corporate strategy firm.
9. What role do you wish you could sing that you could never sing because it’s the wrong voice type/gender?
Either the Grand Inquisitor (Don Carlo) or Otello.
10. Describe your favorite moment on stage.
Most recently, my sitzprobe for Salome in Bordeaux earlier this year. Gave me chills.
Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).
Have you ever been surprised by your love for (or dislike of) a role?
I expected not to enjoy singing the title role in Attila in Italy a couple of seasons ago, but it ended up being some of the most fun I’ve ever had onstage. The entire experience was like singing an opera in Parma circa 1957. Conversely, I thought I’d like Falke in Die Fledermaus; I was mistaken.
See Nmon in Madison Opera’s production of Puccini’s Tosca November 1 & 3 in Overture Hall. Tickets start at just $18– why wait? Ten Questions with…
Melody Moore, soprano
Tosca in Tosca
1. My favorite thing about being a singer is:
– being able to express what I cannot express in daily life and daily conversation.
2. The greatest challenge in being a singer is:
– keeping stability in health and keeping a quiet mind.
3. A live music performance I’ve attended that I will never forget is:
– Rufus Wainwright’s Judy Garland Show.
4. A few of my favorite films are:
– The Hours, Dogville, and any Lord of the Rings movies.
5. Three things I can’t live without are:
– books, hot baths and my stuffed bear, Brutus.
6. My number one hobby is:
Cooking.
7. If you could perform with any singer, retired or deceased, who would it be?
– Renata Tebaldi.
8. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
Neuroscience or Quantum Physics or Chef.
9. What role do you wish you could sing that you could never sing because it’s the wrong voice type/gender?
That’s why I’m lucky, I get to sing exactly what I love.
10. Describe your favorite moment on stage.
– When I went on for Gheorghiu on opening night of Tosca at San Francisco Opera, I could literally feel the grain of the fabric on the dropcloth below my feet. I could feel electricity surging through my body. I didn’t sleep well for three days afterward. Absolutely exhilarating.
Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).
I don’t desire a specific question, but I would love it if someone actually understood that- although our lives as singers may seem exciting and glamorous – we pay a price. We often do not get to SEE the wondrous surroundings in cities where we sing because we are in rehearsal. We often are away from our homes and families for extended times and we live lonely lives at times. I wish, sometimes, that there was a broader space for that understanding.
See Melody in Madison Opera’s production of Puccini’s Tosca November 1 & 3 in Overture Hall. Tickets start at just $18– why wait? Ten Questions with…
Scott Piper, tenor
Cavaradossi in Tosca
1. My favorite thing about being a singer is:
Having the ability to travel and perform with fantastic colleagues.
2. The greatest challenge in being a singer is:
Staying healthy in the midst of the constant travel.
3. A live music performance I’ve attended that I will never forget is:
Ray Charles performing “Georgia” at the opening of the Schuster Performing Arts Center in Dayton, Ohio.
4. A few of my favorite films are:
La Strada
Kissing Jessica Stein
Avatar
5. Three things I can’t live without are:
Chocolate
Beef Jerky
Marshmallow Peeps
6. My number one hobby is:
Reading.
7. If you could perform with any singer, retired or deceased, who would it be?
Aureliano Pertile.
8. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
Medicine.
9. What role do you wish you could sing that you could never sing because it’s the wrong voice type/gender?
Tosca.
10. Describe your favorite moment on stage.
The moment before the first downbeat of the score.
See Scott in Madison Opera’s production of Puccini’s Tosca November 1 & 3 in Overture Hall. Tickets start at just $18– why wait? Ten Questions with…
Ryan Kuster, bass-baritone
Angelotti in Tosca
1. My favorite thing about being a singer is:
the collaboration between everyone that is involved during the rehearsal process. I love exploring the character through the exchange of musical and dramatic ideas.
2. The greatest challenge in being a singer is:
managing my time in between gigs.
3. A live music performance I’ve attended that I will never forget is:
The dress rehearsal and then final performance of Susan Graham’s Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier.
4. A few of my favorite films are:
The Princess Bride, Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V, (it’s not a movie, but) House of Cards.
5. Three things I can’t live without are:
My travel pillow, my headphones and my favorite book.
6. My number one hobby is:
Self-improvement.
7. If you could perform with any singer, retired or deceased, who would it be?
I would love to perform with Jose Van Dam.
8. If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?
I really don’t know. Probably something where I was doing service for others.
9. What role do you wish you could sing that you could never sing because it’s the wrong voice type/gender?
I like my roles. 🙂
10. Describe your favorite moment on stage.
My favorite moment wasn’t on stage. It was outside and involved a horsefly and me ending up bleeding while I was performing. Ask me about it sometime. 😉
See Ryan in Madison Opera’s production of Puccini’s Tosca November 1 & 3 in Overture Hall. Tickets start at just $18– why wait? 
