Feature Friday
Liam Bonner (baritone, Audebert)
Where are you based when not performing?
Liam Bonner (baritone, Audebert)
New York City.
What advice do you offer aspiring artists?
Be yourself.
If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
My personality wouldn’t allow me to survive on a deserted island; Castaway was very traumatizing for me
What is your dream role?
Germont in La traviata
Are there any favorite backstage stories/moments you would like to share from this or previous performances that our audience might enjoy?
Ewa Podles and I were doing Ballo together in Houston and since we were both finished at the end of the first act, we hung out in the dressing room on opening night drinking the bottle of champagne given to us as a gift until it was time for the curtain call. She told me her life story.
What are your top three favorite operas?
Marriage of Figaro, Don Carlo, Billy Budd
Have you ever had hot dish, and if so what is your favorite variety?
I have had “hot dish”, but in Pittsburgh (where I’m originally from) it’s just called a casserole. My favorite is zucchini casserole.
Where do you feel you delivered your strongest performance?
As the title role in Halmet with Washington National Opera.
What has been the most challenging piece you have worked on and why?
Stravinsky’s ‘Les Noces’ – besides the fact that it’s musically challenging, it’s also in a rural Russian dialect that even my Russian speaking colleague had trouble learning.
How has music changed your life?
I never planned to make a career in music, but I can honestly say that I can’t imagine it any other way. I am aware of how blessed and fortunate I am to be making a living in this profession.
Jamie Andrews (Community Education Director)
What made you decide on a career in the arts?
Jamie Andrew (Community Education Director)
I was not good enough to play for the Twins.
How long have you been working with opera?
Since 2002.
What is your favorite Twin Cities destination?
-My house
-West River Road, on my bike, at sunrise in the fall.
What has been the most challenging piece you have worked on and why?
Eight Pieces for Four Timpani by Elliot Carter
Besides opera, do you have any other favorite genres of music? What are some of your favorite artists from that genre?
Jazz (Miles Davis and Esperanza Spalding)
Name your top five favorite movies.
Goodfellas
Enchanted April
Mediterraneo
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
The Godfather
How has music changed your life?
It opened so many doors, like the opportunity to travel and meet incredible people, that I could never had imagined growing up in a very small town in WI.
What are your top three favorite operas?
Der Rosenkavalier, Ring Cycle, Falstaff
What do you like to do when you aren’t busy creating great opera?
Going to graduate school.
Have you ever had hot dish, and if so what is your favorite variety?
Tator-tot! What else?
Philip Ostrander, trombone
What made you decide on a career in the arts?
My parents are music educators and I tried to do anything and everything else and couldn’t.
How long have you been working with opera?
5 Seasons.
What do you think makes Minnesota Opera unique from other companies?
The Twin Cities community financial support for the arts, great marketing, costumes, sets. It’s a great show.
What is your favorite Twin Cities destination?
XCEL center for hockey games!
If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
My bible, wife and children. Maybe some water.
Where do you get your news?
Local Eau Claire newspaper.
What is your favorite thing about Minnesota?
Hockey.
What are your top three favorite operas?
Boheme, Magic Flute, Ring Cycle
What has been the most challenging piece you have worked on and why?
A concerto I’m performing by Gunnar De Frumerie. Technical and range expectations are very difficult.
Do you have Twitter, a Facebook page or website fans can follow?
http://www.uwec.edu/Mus-The/faculty/ostranpa.htm