Meet Our Artists: Carla Jablonski

A conversation with Dorabella, Carla Jablonski

This week we sit down with mezzo Carla Jablonski, a returning FGO Young Artist, who has performed with FGO several times before. Most recently she has performed in Florida Grand Opera's double-bill of Tango and María de Buenos Aires.

Carla will be performing the role of Dorabella in Florida Grand Opera's production of Così fan tutte on January 25, 30, and February 14.

Carla, welcome BACK to Florida Grand Opera! 

Carla in FGO's performance of Tango

For those reading this article who may be newer to FGO, can you please tell us a little about about yourself?

Hello, I'm Carla Jablonski, and this season at FGO I will be playing the roles of Dorabella in Così fan tutte and the Secretary in The Consul. I was born in Butler, Pennsylvania, a small town north of Pittsburgh. When I was 15 my family helped me to pursue my performing dreams by moving to NYC, where I have lived since.

When I first moved to NYC I began an acting career in theater. In addition to studying in the theater world, I continued to take voice lessons and dance on the side. I had never intended or thought I would end up in opera, to be honest. In a way it was an accident and just about meeting the right people (mentors and coaches) at the right time who encouraged me to continue singing. 

As I learned more about opera I quickly realized it married so many different elements—all of which I adore. I have always loved portraying other characters—developing the nuance of character traits, all while singing and acting. I get to bring this persona to life onstage while interpreting some of the most incredible music ever written.

It's a great endeavor, actually, but I feel honored to be doing this for a living on the opera stage.

How would you describe yourself in only 3 words?

1. Enthusiastic
2. Storyteller
3. Thoughtful (literally and figuratively)

Okay… now you HAVE to describe who your alter-ego, Shamaymay Phlegming, is.

Ohhh Shamaymay Phlegming! She has quite a reputation! I started to develop an ear for opera back in high school, and of course one of the first singers I heard was Renée Fleming—who has a very distinct flair to her voice, color, and means of interpreting a phrase. As a joke I would imitate her singing “Summertime,” and to my surprise it got a lot of praise for how I could replicate her sound. Through the years I've developed a persona, "Shamaymay Phlegming," and have polished and developed my vocal imitation of Renée Fleming. I hope that it is seen as the highest compliment to her, but I've found that people who understand the reference find it quite entertaining!

Well, we are thrilled to have you (and "Shamaymay") back this season! As some know, you were a member of our Young Artist Program a few seasons ago. What made you decide to return to sunny Miami?

I had fond memories of being a Young Artist in the 2012–13 Season. It was a transitional time for the company, but I really believed in the direction it was heading and wanted to be a part of that progressive movement that Susan Danis set forth. 

I also felt very strongly about the sense of family I developed while down here—I worked with some of the best people in the business. I also grew to love Miami. I feel at home and am excited to be back!

What is one of the biggest take-aways you left with at the end of your previous year in our Young Artist Program? 

I learned the importance of standing up for the art form of opera and encouraging others who may have no previous experience/knowledge to learn about it and to support it as well. Sometimes, as performers, we can be selfishly focused on what we're developing or working on in the privacy of a practice room—but one of the greatest things I learned, especially at Florida Grand Opera, was to be an opera advocate and inspire others about supporting the arts by reaching out into the community.

What do you hope audience members take away from seeing Così fan tutte?

Così fan tutte was one of the first operas I ever studied, and I hope the audience can enjoy it on different levels. The opera can be humorous and entertaining—all while having a deeper contextual meaning and sincerity to it. If we do our jobs as performers, hopefully we can translate those rooted sentiments and portray a story not lacking depth and meaning. Mozart and Da Ponte were such geniuses in this way! The music is incredible, and the story shouldn't be taken on a simple surface level.

If you could rewrite the final few scenes of the opera, how would you want the opera to end?

It is hard to imagine the opera ending any other way than it is already written because it's what we want to happen: happy and uplifting. The acts of trickery, unfaithfulness, and eventual forgiveness are interesting and ever-present realities even today. However, what may be interesting and could possibly change the whole take on the opera would be if the act of forgiveness never materialized. It wouldn't be a typical “happy ending,” but the dark reality of it could have a greater impact in the end.

Now just for fun: What toppings do you put on your ice cream sundae?

Aw darn, I can't do dairy ice cream—BUT I love sorbet and non-dairy frozen desserts. Toppings would include chocolate shavings, strawberries, granola.

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To see Carla Jablonski perform the role of Dorabella and purchase tickets to Così fan tutte, simply call our Box Office at 800-741-1010, Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm. You may also order securely online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at www.FGO.org.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR TICKETS