Feature Friday

Read into the inner most thoughts of our cast and crew of Così fan tutte, premiering September 24 at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts. If you have any questions for our artists for any production post or tweet them to us and you might just see the answer posted here on Feature Fridays!

Jennifer Holloway (Dorabella)

Where are you based when not performing? 

Athens, GA

What advice do you offer aspiring artists?

First off, Work really hard. 

Second, Be aware.  Notice everything… how people respond to you, what people say, what you feel great about, where you like to be.  All of those things are important.  Observe other folks and what they do that you like.  Maybe you can make that skill your own, too!  That doesn’t mean you have to listen to and do everything everyone suggests, but you should put everything you observe in your bag, so you can pull out exactly the right tool at exactly the right time!  (personally, professionally, or artistically!)  

 After that, be patient.  Everyone’s path is different.  Don’t look at the guy next to you or down the street or the one in the magazines.   You may have to try different things or it may take you a longer or a shorter time to reach your goal. 

Be persisitent…  There are always opportunities… you may have to work harder to find them than the next guy, but if you want it, you can find and MAKE opportunities.

Lastly, and most importantly

Also, BE NICE… to EVERYONE.   Not JUST because you never know who will be important in your career later on, and not just because you will get a reputation and that will affect who will want to hire you, but also because NOBODY has the right to be mean to other people.  You are NEVER more important than other people.

At the end of the day, all of the folks we meet help to form us into the artists and the people we are in the end, and your path MUST be different than the next guy’s because EVERYONE has a different background.  Sure, as advice and take all of that in, but don’t be afraid to go against the grain and do what is right for you.

What tends to be the most challenging element of performing?  

For me, it is most difficult to remember to sing well rather than to act with my voice!!  I love the drama of opera!!!

What is your dream role? And why?

Oh gosh, I have so many I would love to sing!!  Melisande, because I love love love that piece.  It is simply divine.  Maybe there is no great aria for Melisande, but the music is unearthly, and the story is so heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once.  Debussy really got it right.  Also, I love to sing Komponist, Octavian, and Sesto!!!On the not as appropriate side,   I would love to sing Salome.  I know that sounds weird, but I love love love that music, and I think the character would be a BLAST to play.  Even weirder, I would love to sing Escamillo,  if I was a little different singer than I am today, hahaha.    I know baritones hate to sing it, but it is soooooo sexy!!!!   Along the same lines, even though I have been chatted up for it a million and one times and said that I am not ready to accept,  I would love to sing Carmen.  That piece is incredible, and the character so sassy!!

What do you think makes Minnesota Opera unique from other companies?  

For one, the incredible Family atmosphere.  To come in and be welcomed with open arms is so special!!!  Also, I have to hand it to the artistic admin.  They don’t just listen to what everyone else says.  They listen with their own ears and make their OWN decisions.  That is a quality seldom found in the American opera world. In addition, they encourage young artists in a really specific and informed manner.  Most importantly, they never dumb down their season or their mission.  They both challenge and endear the public and inform this wonderful city about the great opera that exists, and by working closely with each of their departments, they are able to sustain an incredible gem of an opera company in the middle of America.  Well done, Minnesota.  I, by the way, am not the first person to recognize these things.  You all ROCK!!!!!

What is your favorite Twin Cities destination?  

I have only been here for a little more than a week, but I love Birchbark Bookstore and the park around the lake nearby, so far!!  I spent a lovely day off enjoying both, together!

If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only bring three things, what would they be? 

Lily (my kiddo), Dwayne (my hubby), My Iphone 4 (my connection to everyone else!!)

What has been the most challenging piece you have worked on and why? 

Weird to say, and I have done it a lot, but COSI is the most challenging.  Musically, it is divine, and honestly, textually, it is superb.  The problem is, you have a bunch of people coming together to make one story and also six stories all at the same time.  There is a lot of individual and a lot of ensemble work to be done, and everything must fit together just perfectly.  I think this will be a good one!!
How has music changed your life?  

Not a fair question.  Music has always been a part of my life, so there has been no change.  My husband and I met in marching band, so I guess that is one way.  Opera is a more recent addition, so if that is the question, my whole life changed from girl –who- was- going -to -teach –high- school- band -and -chorus to girl-chasing-a-singing-career.  That’s was weird.  My daughter is super musical because of mom and dad (dad is a jazz drummer) and I think that may have just been something she was born with.  There are so many things that would be socially so much easier if I were a music teacher or a girl in corporate America and lived in one city all of the time, but I am not.   I am a musician… so I travel, and I miss my family, and I never have the same kitchen all year long.  There are trade off’s!!  My life has certainly changed, but it hardly seems unfair!!

If you had to choose a different field of work, what would you choose? 

Hmmmm.   I am pretty content, but if it all ended today, I would without a double TEACH… and not necessarily voice lessons.  I would love to teach high school chorus or band.  It was what I was supposed to be before all of this singing stuff happened!!  I love love love to teach, and I will go back to it, one day.

Jim Jacobson (cello)

What made you decide on a career in the arts? 

In High School I became mature enough to appreciate and enjoy the process of practicing I began to consider the life of a musician as more than just a performer.  It was a craftsman’s way of life.  This really illuminated my life‘s direction.   If a life in the Arts was 90% performing and only 10% practice, I would have had no interest.

How long have you been working with opera? 

This is my 14th season.

What do you think makes Minnesota Opera unique from other companies?

The mix of new or at least little known opera with the classics is why I’m excited to be in the pit.

If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only bring three things, what would they be? 

An axe, a mosquito head-net and a photo of my girlfriend.

What has been the most challenging piece you have worked on and why?

Ravel Duo for Violin and Cello.  Most duos are usually difficult because the composers feel the need to cram as many notes into each part as possible.  Maybe they are afraid that the audience would see a duo as sounding thin.  I’ve performed it twice, and that’s enough for  me!

What is your favorite thing about Minnesota?

The combination of slow pace of life with a thriving arts scene.

What are your top three favorite operas? 

La boheme,  Tosca and Don Giovanni.

Have you ever had hot dish, and if so what is your favorite variety?

I avoid it.

What do you like to do when you aren’t busy creating great opera?

I love just sitting quietly in my yard with my girlfriend Jane and our cats.

Where do you get your news?

MPR, New York Times online and BBC News online.