Feature Friday

Steven Pomije (supernumerary)

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

A completely loaded Kindle Fire with 400 songs and 3,000 books, a comfortable armchair and a side table.

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

Supers do whatever we’re asked to do, and when we’re asked to hold upright an iron lantern for 40 minutes in one hand, well, that’s a bit challenging for even the most fit. LOL.

What is your favorite thing about Minnesota?

September. The air is crisp, the leaves begin turning, there is a smell in the air like red wine.

What are your top three favorite operas?

Puccini’s Tosca; Britten’s Peter Grimes; Delibes’ Lakme.

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

Does the traditional cassoulet from Languedoc count? I love one-pot meals, but hot dish really isn’t my thing.

How do you eat your eggs?

Poached on a toasted bagel with fried tomato.

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

As I have a career outside of my involvement with the opera, any free time is premium time, and I spend it reading great novels, listening to music while scouring over scores, cooking, and bicycling.

Where do you get your news?

BBC, the Guardian, the Nation, Mother Jones, Facebook.

Name your top five favorite movies.

Moulin Rouge, Billy Elliot, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Are you really as scandalous as they say you are?

On first impression, people think I’m trouble. Must be something about the look of me.

Andrew Wilkowske (Ponchel, baritone)

Where are you based when not performing?

My wife, daughter, and I live in St. Paul

What advice do you offer aspiring artists?

If you think you would be happy doing something else, do it!!! If you are truly committed to doing this for a living, be persistent.  Don’t give up.  Over the years I’ve learned that a big part of being successful in this crazy business is just hanging in there.

Who are your biggest inspirations?

My wife Erika Taibl is the most creative and hard-working person I know.  She is a constant source of inspiration for me.  My daughter is the funniest person I’ve met, and I find myself constantly ripping off her gags on stage.  Musically speaking, my biggest inspirations are Paul Simon, Eddie Van Halen, Bryn Terfel, Dimitri Hvorostovsky, Mozart, and Steve Reich.  Lately I’ve been listening a lot to a band called The Hold Steady.  The lead singer, Craig Finn, is a Twin Cities native and is a natural storyteller.  The lyrics namecheck tons of Twin Cities landmarks like 1st Ave, The Quarry, and the Grain Belt Bridge.

Where do you feel you delivered your strongest performance?

Probably in The Grapes of Wrath right here at MN Opera. I got the chance to reprise that performance at Carnegie Hall last year- an experience I will never forget!  Before our dress rehearsal at Carnegie, I just stood center stage and tried to take it all in.  It felt like the scene in Hoosiers when Gene Hackman measures the basketball court at the state tournament  to prove to his players that it is the same size as their home court.  That night in the performance, after Noah’s death scene, the show literally stopped and the audience went nuts.  It was the most spellbinding moment of my professional life.

What tends to be the most challenging element of performing?

Staying healthy in Minnesota weather!!! Remembering that the whole point of singing is communication, not just making pretty noise.

What is your favorite Twin Cities destination?

Kramarcyk’s for lunch, Muffaletta’s for dinner, and Como Park for everything else.

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

Probably Casanova’s Homecoming.  I was the understudy for the lead role. It pushes the extremes of baritone vocal range, and it is incredibly challenging musically.  It took me forever to just learn the notes.  Then it took me forever to learn the rhythms.  Then, to put them together, well forget it!

Are you really as scandalous as they say you are?

HAHAHA!!!! Being the father of a four-year-old doesn’t allow me to be too scandalous anymore.  But find me a good babysitter and all bets are off!!!

Are there any favorite backstage stories/moments you would like to share from this or previous performances that our audience might enjoy?

When I was in the chorus of Aida wayyyy back in 1998 there was one night when the backstage monitor got turned off and the entire chorus missed their first entrance.  Seeing a herd of choristers sprinting down the stairwell in togas is something I’ll never forget.

Troy Cook (Father Palmer, baritone)

Where are you based when not performing?  

I live in Bucks County, PA.

What advice do you offer aspiring artists?

Keep an open mind…Always be willing to try new things.  You never know what you might learn about yourself or your art.

Who are your biggest inspirations?

I would have to say as far as a baritone that I really look up to, that would be Thomas Allen.  I find that he really has the complete package:  A fantastic voice, real command of languages and is a fantastic actor.  He also has an amazing ability to act with his voice, a quality I greatly admire.

What tends to be the most challenging element of performing?

Performing in really large theaters with terrible acoustics.

What do you typically eat before a performance? 

I usually eat something that won’t repeat on me like grilled chicken and veggies…  Nothing too spicy, and I’ll eat several hours before show time.  Sometimes I like an orange at intermission.

Are you really as scandalous as they say you are?

Scandalous is not really a word that has been used to describe me, unless what you are referring to is taking a nude shower onstage.  I guess some would consider that scandalous…

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

The Minnesota Opera is not afraid to do challenging repertoire and innovative productions of standard repertoire.  They also have a nice mix in their casting of seasoned professionals and young singers on their way up.  I was lucky enough to be chosen to sing the Count in Marriage of Figaro by Dale and Floyd right out of the Glimmerglass Opera Apprentice Program.  They basically gave my first professional role.

Are there any favorite backstage stories/moments you would like to share from this or previous performances that our audience might enjoy? 

Well this is an onstage moment, but still a good one.  I was singing Escamillo at the Green Mountain Opera Festival in Vermont, and on opening night while singing the high note I was about to do an amazing dismount from a barrel to the floor when the top of the barrel gave way and my foot went through to the floor.  Miraculously I didn’t miss a beat.  I managed to keep singing to Carmen all while wearing a barrel as a pant leg.  A chorister eventually helped me remove the barrel.  The only way that I know what happened is that everyone told me during the intermission.  I guess I went into auto-pilot.  It was crazy!

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

I have had a “hot dish” before courtesy of a native Minnesotan and former MN opera RAP Andrew Gangestad.  We had a Hot Dish party while singing together in the Berkshires.  Pizza hot dish, tater tot hot dish, taco hot dish were a few of the offerings.  I am also from KY, where we call hot dish casseroles.  We had a casserole at about every meal… I think we kept Campbell’s soup in business.

Do you have Twitter, a Facebook page or website fans can follow? 

My website is:  www.troycookbaritone.com