Singer Spotlight: Szu-Wen Wang

Singer Spotlight Szu-Wen Wang

Soprano Szu-Wen Wang has been involved in DragonDiva productions for several years. Some of her performances with DragonDiva have included the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella in 2010, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel in 2009, Phyllis in Iolanthe in 2009, and Gianetta in Elixir of Love in 2008. Opera Canada has praised her performance in Handel's Amadigi as having "taste, restraint and good vocal control," and applauded her "carefully nuanced and ably delivered" singing of Cio-Cio-San in Vancouver Island Opera's production of Madama Butterfly. Szu-Wen holds a Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance from Taipei National University of the Arts, a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Vocal Performance from the University of Texas at Austin. She is excited to be involved in the Minoru Chapel Opera Nights Concert and hopes you can catch this performance and future DragonDiva productions.

Szu-Wen leads a very busy schedule
but she was able to answer a couple
questions to whet your appetite for
the Minoru concert.

(Q) Can you share one of your favorite
moments that happened during a
DragonDiva Production?

(A) Honestly I enjoyed every moment of each DragonDiva production I have been involved with. But if I really have to single out a certain moment, I have to say, watching my colleagues dancing in "Loudly let the trumpet Bray" in Iolanthe cracks me up every time I think of it. It was just too funny and brilliant!

(Q) What show would you love for DragonDiva to produce and what role would you like to sing?

(A) Too many to list them all here, but I do hope to star as Olympia in Offenbach's "Les Contes D'Hoffmann" before I get too old to look like a doll.

(Q) Can you tell us a little about what
your process is when you are preparing
a role for the opera stage?

(A) Usually I start with getting all of
the notes right first. As we all know,
it's much harder to fix musical
mistakes later on. Then I spend
lots of time on the diction. Then I
work on the characteristic of the role.

Szu-Wen will be singing scenes from last summers hit Cinderella as well as Elixir of Love and Hansel and Gretel. Don't miss out on your chance to hear this amazing soprano.

Up next a few words from our Vice-President Janet Vandertol

Singer Spotlight: Janet Vandertol-Zathureczky

Singer Spotlight Janet Vandertol-Zathureczky

Soprano, Janet Vandertol-Zathureczky is excited to once again be joining her DragonDiva colleagues for a fantastic excerpt concert. Janet has been a DragonDiva board member since the company's inception and is the current board Vice President. Some of her performances with DragonDiva have incluced the 2010 Mother's Day concert with the New West SYmphony, the Mother in Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel in December 2009, the Fairy Queen in Gilbert and Sullivan's Iolanthe in August 2009 and the Christmas concert "Winter Wonderland" in December 2008. She looks forward to DragonDiva's spring concert at the Massey Theatre in May 2011 and their summer show H.M.S. Pinafore, which promises to be an exciting production! Janet has been singing for many years and holds both a Bachelor and Masters in Music from UBC. She hopes that you will be able to make it to this wonder concert at the Minoru Chapel to enjoy hits from seasons past and a look forward to future DragonDiva productions.

So we have taken some time to
get to know the singers from this
concert and we can't wait to hear
Janet's answer to our round of
questioning.

(Q) Can you share with us one
of your favorite moments from
a DragonDiva Production.

(A) My absolute favourite DD
moment!! I think it was when I
dropped by a Cinderella rehearsal
last summer and heard the duet
between Cinderella and the Prince.
WOWOWOW! Amazing music!
I also love being on the board. The
commitment which John and Jeanine have to providing young singers with opportunities outside of their degree work is just fantastic.

(Q) What show would you just die for DragonDiva to produce and what role would you love to sing?

(A) I find this so hard to answer because I want to do so many shows. I think Cosi fan Tutte would be amazing and Turandot, but then there is Un Ballo in Maschera and Norma, and who could forget about Der Freischutz...you see I can't narrow it down. But I think Suor Angelica would be an excellent show for DD to produce and I would love to sing the role of Suor Angelica.

(Q) Where would you like to see
DragonDiva in 5 years?

(A) I would like to see
DragonDiva develop its
learning and development
opportunities for singers.
Every summer young
singers from the Lower
Mainland are flying
themselves all over the
world to attend Young
Artist Programs.
We have the a lot of the skills and resources to create opportunities here for their development right here in Vancouver. We really just need to grab ahold of what is available to us and see where ingenuity can take us. And with the talent which is present in the Lower Mainland, the possibilities are endless.

Thank you so much for sharing your vision with us Janet. I also think that we need to "grab ahold of what is available."

Janet will be singing scenes from Madama Butterfly and Iolanthe at this concert. Seats are limited so don't miss your chance to hear this astounding soprano.

Singer Spotlight: Lisa-Dawn Kilthau

Singer Spotlight Lisa-Dawn Kilthau

Mezzo-Soprano Lisa-Dawn Nelsina Kilthau is thrilled to be collaborating with many talented musicians for this wonderful excerpt concert.  Lisa-Dawn had the incredible opportunity of bringing to life the title role in Massenet's Cinderella, working with DragonDiva Operatic Theatre this past summer. She was immersed in the production from start to finish, performing as well as participating in the technical side. Lisa-Dawn has worked as a costume technician and designer for a wide range of productions; Cinderella was a pleasure to costume and an even greater pleasure to sing.  Lisa-Dawn currently studies under the tutelage of baritone Dale Throness.  She began her formal vocal training in 2002 at Kwantlen University College, and continued her academic studies through 2010 when she graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Masters in Opera.  Lisa-Dawn's recent performances include the role of Julie Riel in the Western Canadian Premier of Harry Somer's masterpiece Louis Riel, La Suora Zelatrice in Puccini's Suor Angelica, and the mother in Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel. Lisa-Dawn also had the honor of creating the role of Antonia Wolff in the world premier of Lloyd Burrit's The Dream Healer. Lisa-Dawn hopes that you will make it to see the Minoru Nights Opera show and will join DragonDiva again in the future for more incredible music and entertainment.

We wanted to get to know Lisa-Dawn a
little better so we asked her a few
questions.  Here is her responses.

(Q) Can you tell us about one of your
favorite moments that happened during
a DragonDiva Production?

(A)  I really love the entire process of
creating a role - learning the music and
language, absorbing the staging, creating
realism by adding your own subtext, bringing the characters to life with costumes and make-up...Cinderella was definitely a dream role to perform;  the music is stunning, you have plenty of stage time to let the character develop throughout the show, and what girl wouldn't want to play the heroine in the fairytale of all fairytales?  But the very best moments are when everything comes together, and for a short space of time you forget that you are performing.  This happened for me in the forest scene, a duet between Cinderella and the Prince.  I was incredibly lucky to have the talented Dionne Sellinger play my Prince.  The blend of two mezzo-voices was a stroke of genius on Massenet's part; litteraly every time we sang that duet, I would get shivers.  Our last performance seemed to gel particularly well, and when the curtain came down at the end of that scene, Dionne and I were so thrilled by how it went that we just stood there in a great big bear hug,  and I almost missed my quick-change for the next scene.

(Q) Do you have any hobbies or activities that you
like to take part in during your free time?

(A) I love dancing; I do a lot of swing and blues
dance, and enjoy a wide variety of other partner
dances as well.  I think it is just another form
of simultaneously connecting to people and music.
I also really enjoy cooking and baking, especcialy
with friends.  And when I can make the time, any
form of art; jewelry making, drawing, painting etc.

(Q) Can you describe what it is that draws you to
the Opera stage?

(A) I am a relatively shy person; it might be hard to understand, but the though of public speaking scares me.  Performing takes me out of myself, and allows me to express in ways I wouldn't be comfortable with otherwise.  I love that I can take on a character and be someone else for a space of time; flamboyant or timid, outspoken or reserved.  The options are endless.  Opera can bring stories to life, with all of the different elements.

Thanks Lisa-Dawn for taking the time to answer our questions and let us get to know you a little better.

DragonDiva Fans it is a little more than a week away to our season opener at the Minoru Chapel Opera Nights.  Seating is very limited so don't miss your chance to see this concert of hits from previous seasons.

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Be sure to keep updated with our blog. Our next update is only a few days away featuring soprano Szu-Wen Wang.

Singer Spotlight: Dora Brooks

Singer Spotlight Dora Brooks

Dora Brooks is a featured soloist in our up-coming Minoru Opera Nights Concert. She is a talented, young soprano, currently living in New Westminster.  Dora has been involved in almost every show in DragonDiva's history:  Gianetta in Elixir of Love, The Sandman in Hansel and Gretel, Phyllis in Iolanthe, and Naomie and Cinderella in last year's Cinderella.  She also branched out a bit last year and costumed Cinderella with Lisa-Dawn Kilthau.  Dora also sang in last year's New Westminster Cultural Crawl at the Irving House Museum.  Dora's operatic roles also include Virtu and Drusilla in La Coronazione di Poppea, and Emmie in Albert Herring.  She has performed numerous partial roles, including Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Echo and Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos, and the title role in Flotow's Martha, to name a few!  Dora Also was the  female lead in the premier of the musical Stump City Stories, by George Ryan in 2009, and the remount with New Westminster Secondary School in 2010.  Dora is looking forward to the busy musical year coming up.

Dora as Naomie in Cinderella

We had a chance to catch up with Dora
and ask her a few questions.  Here's
what she had to say.

(Q) What is your favorite experience
with DragonDiva so far?

(A) It seems corny, but I've had a
'special' experience (and a great
time) each time I've been invovled
in a DragonDiva production. My
favorite?  Hmm...well, it was super
stressful, but last summer's
production of Cinderella is tops
on my list.  Playing a lead role,
understudying the title role (with
a performance, even!), and
co-costuming the show was about
the craziest thing I've ever done - and I LOVED it!

(Q) What show would you absolutely go GAGA for DragonDiva to produce, and what role would you sing?

(A) Le Nozze di Figaro - full stop.  How awesome would that production be? As for which role - can I choose Susannah AND Countess? Yes? Why not...

Dora as Gianetta in Elixir of Love

(Q) If you could be a different voice type in order to sing a single role what would it be and why.

(A) Lyric coloratura. That might seem strange to those who know me and my aversion to too many notes on a single syllable' (I swear I get hives...), but two of my favorite characters fall into this voice type:  Ophelia in Thomas' Hamlet, and Zerbinetta in Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos. Ophelia has one of the *BEST* mad/death scenes (or should I say 'act'), and who doesn't want to sing Zerbinetta's incredible marathon aria, singing for over 20 mins straight? Or maybe I am just nuts.  If I had to choose between these two, I'd choose, well, both.

Final Thought:  I must admit I was hoping to hear Dora say that she wanted to be a Basso or perhaps a baritone singing Flying Dutchman just for the funniness of it but I am sure glad that she sings what she does because she has one of the most beautiful soprano voices I have heard.  I for one would pay big dollars to hear her sing Zerbinetta.

Don't miss your chance to hear Dora singing at our Minoru Concert in Richmond and be sure to stay-tuned for our next Singer Spotlight Featuring:  Lisa-Dawn Kilthau and for chances to win tickets to our upcoming Cabaret Around the World at the Massey Theatre on May 14th.

Check out our 2011 Season

2011 Season Announcement

Minoru Chapel Opera When: April 6th, 2011             2:30pm / 7:30 pm Where: Minoru Chapel               6450 Gilbert Road, Richmond               Beside the Gateway Theatre Tickets: $20 (adults); $18 (Students/Seniors)                $15 (groups of 10 or more)                Available at operanights@richmond.ca                Limited Seating A co-production with the City of Richmond Minoru Chapel Opera Series

Cabaret Around The World When: May 14th, 2011             7:30 pm Where: Massey Theatre               735 eighth Avenue, New Westminster               Tickets: $30 (adults); $25 (Students/Seniors)                               On Sale April 1st                www.masseytheatre.com/boxoffice.html                or 604-521-5050                Production Sponsored by Massey Helps Grant

H.M.S. Pinafore When: August 2011             Where: Bernie Legge Theatre               Queens Park, New Westminster BC               Directions available at               www.vagabongplayers.ca/direction.htm Tickets: $25 (adults); $23 (Students/Seniors)                $20 (groups of 10 or more)                               On sale July 1st                www.masseytheatre.com/boxoffice.html                or 604-521-5050

Hansel and Gretel When: December 2011             Where: TBA   Tickets: $25 (adults); $23 (Students/Seniors)                $20 (groups of 10 or more)                               On Sale Nov 15th                www.masseytheatre.com/boxoffice.html                or 604-521-5050

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Letter From the President

	Letter from The President 2011 Season Announcement

Dear DragonDiva Fans and Family,

As the President and founding Artistic Director of DragonDiva Operatic
Theatre, I am so excited to welcome you to our fifth season.  The company
started on a whim four years ago, and now I'm proud to say we have
become a well-known player in the local opera scene.  Each year, we all
work very hard to improve upon our past successes and to provide
increasingly professional quality shows for our performers and audiences.

We try to always include poignant moments that tug at your heart strings,
laugh-out-loud moments that have poeple falling out of their charis, and a
couple surprises to keep people on their toes. Two of my farourite such
moments came from our last production - Cinderalla.

The first time the curtains opened to show
the forest, I gasped, and every night I 
heard the audience do the same.  It was 
so beautiful, and the cast did the change 
so quickly and seamlessly that it really 
did feel like magic.

My favorite poignant moment 
comes from that show as well...
the duet between Cinderella
and the Prince when they are
separated by a wall of clover. 
It brought me to tears every time
Lisa-Dawn Kilthau and Dionne
Sellinger sang it. The torment they
felt was just so believable, and
the blending of those two voices
was gorgeous.




Perhaps my favourite funny moment to date was in the final
performance of Elixir of Love in 2008. Sasparilla
(our invented character - a mute  sidekick to Dr. Dulcamara)
was to come on stage and listen to a scene while eating a
piece of wedding cake.  The final night, the stage manager
gave her what was left - an entire half round of a lemon pound cake. 
Carolyn Barker (who played Sasparilla) took some of the biggest 
mouthfuls I've ever seen, but by the time she left the stage, that cake
was gone.  I couldn't stop laughing at both the absurdity of the situation
and her determination.

 

Both John Arsenault (our founding music director) and I are also singers.
I think that's part of our success when we're building a show...we know
how a singer will react to the things we're asking for,and what their needs 
will be, because we are singers ourselves.  I've yet to join a cast onstage
for our main productions,  but I am lucky enough to join in for our concerts
and fundraising events.

For these reasons and many more, I hope that you will join  DragonDiva
Operatic Theatre in 2011 for our 5th season and stay with us to find out
what happens in the next 5 years of DragonDiva Opera.


                                                Sincerely
                                                Jeanine Fynn
                                                President and Artistic Director
                                                DragonDiva Operatic Theatre

P.S. Stay tuned for our exciting season announcement coming in
just a few short days.