BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
So you’ve been to see the opera.
Maybe you were a concertgoer, taken aback by the majestic staging and tales of love and tragedy. Maybe you rocked up as a musician or singer yourself, and listened out for the quality of timbre from leading stars and chorus alike.
It doesn’t matter who you are or why you see the opera, because opera is for everyone. But not everyone knows how much work goes into the production of a show – from the rehearsals to the individual training and practice from each singer who is working hard in their part. Working to be the best they can be.
That’s why in 2018, we’re teaming up with the West Australian Opera to shed some light on what happens behind the curtain. In our first interview, we chat with Pia Harris who will star as Chocholka in upcoming production The Cunning Little Vixen.
Pia is an Australian/Italian soprano who has trained with the English National Opera and sung with Opera Australia, Opera Holland Park London, and the New York Lyric Opera. She graduated from the Royal College of Music London as the Aldama Scholar (Bliss Trust Award) and during this time was commended in the RCM Lieder Competition.
Tell us about your entry into singing. When did you realise this would be the life for you?
I’ve always been singing from a young age, through school, AMEB examinations up until my diploma, but I decided seven years ago that I seriously wanted to pursue a career in opera singing and I have never looked back.
What’s your favourite memory of singing on stage?
I have many, but my absolute favourite memory was performing as Manon in New York Lyric Opera’s production of Manon at Carnegie Hall, New York City. I had such amazing colleagues and was really proud of the show we produced. Being on that stage was just the most incredible feeling, and it is a definite highlight to date.
Have you sung with West Australian Opera before?
WA Opera’s The Cunning Little Vixen will be my first show with WA Opera, however since returning to Perth, I’ve had some nice performance opportunities through WA Opera. I hope it will be a long and rewarding relationship.
What is a typical day in rehearsal like for you?
We don’t usually sing before 10am, so we have a nice relaxed start to the day and then we will have a full day of music calls, production calls or final rehearsals.
Music calls ensure that we are ready musically for the production calls; production calls are when we are off copy and ready to stage the piece; and final rehearsals involve getting to the stage, singing the piece with orchestra; and then the dress rehearsals before we open the show.
What style do you feel best suits your voice as an instrument?
I have an appreciation of most classical repertoire, however my voice lends itself best to romantic and late romantic music. My particular favourites are Verdi and Strauss.
I think that you intrinsically know what roles are best for you and gravitate to them. But if you are unsure, sing the piece and you’ll discover pretty quickly if it is for you. I do have a soft spot for early music, though – absolutely love Monteverdi!
What are some of the vocal warm-ups that you find most effective or enjoyable?
I always start with a descending/ascending five-note scale, starting on Bb and going up to F, then progress to intervals and then runs. I would only warm-up for 10 to 15 minutes, and then get on to my roles.
How do you like to protect and nurture your voice throughout the week, when you’re not on stage?
I swear by effervescent vitamin C if I’m feeling under the weather, and steaming is a safe and brilliant way to relax the vocal cords.
Has performance anxiety ever been an issue for you?
I don’t experience performance anxiety when I perform, but I do in an audition scenario. Unfortunately, it is just one of those things. It is totally normal and means you care. It takes time and experience, but you have to learn how to make your nerves work for you, not against you.
Preparation is key. I can’t stress that enough. Stick to routine, get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water, trust your preparation, get there in plenty of time, wear something you feel great in, and believe it is going to go well.
What are some of the skills you’ve developed throughout your singing career that mightn’t be so obvious?
During my training at English National Opera, I developed a system for preparing roles, starting with the obvious (phonetics, translation and note learning). I then read the role as a play, first in English and then in the original language, until I am so comfortable with the text in terms of meaning, inflection and rhythm of the language. It is almost enough to give me all the phrasing of the music. Text is super important, and the colours in the voice come through the thought and meaning of the text.
What has been the biggest struggle in your career and how did you push through?
In my first year of Masters at Royal College of Music London, I had a teacher that just did not work for me. It was then up to me to decide that it was not working, to become responsible for my voice and what was best for it. The decision to move on from that teacher was difficult but necessary, and ever since I have been vigilant and responsible for my own instrument. No one knows your voice better than you do, and no one is as invested. Always remember that.
What advice would you give to other young singers looking to embark on their careers?
As this career is generally freelance, I would advise young singers to have another qualification or other skills to provide a supplementary income when they are out of contract. Persevere, be resilient, and believe in yourself.
Watch Pia Harris sing in The Cunning Little Vixen on April 21, 24, 28, and 28 in His Majesty’s Theatre Perth. The West Australian Opera production will also feature the West Australian Opera Chorus and West Australian Symphony Orchestra, and is presented by arrangement with Victorian Opera.
We’re excited to team up with WAO throughout the year, so that we can give you an exclusive look into how opera works behind the curtain.
Tune in for our next interview to learn more about life as an opera performer!
Images supplied.
