Tell me about yourself.
I’m Stephanie Feigenbaum. I’m a sophomore vocal performance major. I’m in the chorus of an opera coming up soon. It’s called the Magic Flute. It’s originally in German, but we’re doing it English.
Is this your first Opera?
Last year, I was in the Marriage of Figaro. Over the summer, I was in a bunch of different operas at the Caselton Festival in Virginia.
So, why Opera?
It is something that I love. It is something that brings me joy. Little by little, this is what I want to do. Opera is… I mean, it’s awesome. A lot of people think of it as really overly dramatic and overdone. Not all of opera is singing Vikings and all of that. There’s a lot more to relate to.
What’s the story of the Magic Flute?
It’s about a prince named Tamino who finds himself in a strange land. He gets sent on a quest by ‘the Queen of the Night” to rescue her daughterPamina from the priest of the temple sun, Sarasto. In the end, it’s not all as it seems – it’s all about reason and emotion and the search for wisdom. Plus great music and funny supporting characters.
So what’s the function of the chorus?
In this opera, they’re the priests and priestesses of the temple of the sun. I think for people, who aren’t generally into opera, it’s a great way to introduce them to it. I would definitely recommend it to students.The past two nights we’ve run through the whole show. The highlights for me have been hearing the leads and seeing how it all comes together. It’s really a fantastic show.
I’m actually only on for 15 minutes.
So it’s like your 15 minutes of fame. How about vocal performance? What’s a ‘sophomore practicum’?
In practicum, the Bienen faculty correct our diction, if there are wrong notes, our phrasing, our interpretation, where we’re breathing, our acting, everything. Anything you do when you’re singing – even when you’re talking – they correct you. It’s all in a really constructive way.
So, have you enjoyed your time at Bienen?
I certainly have. I would recommend it for anyone. Even if you don’t sing. Come here.
Do you have a dream opera?
I’d love to play Carmen. That would be awesome. She’s a gypsy who makes men fall in love with her everywhere she goes. Despina, she’s sassy. She’s from Cosí fan tutte.
Is this a celebrity future for you? Are you going to be rich?
Unless you’re a really big deal, you don’t make big bucks. But you do it out of love.