Keep reading for her exclusive "Meet Our Artists" interview.
Ava Pine will be performing the role of Despina in Florida Grand Opera's newly-revitalized production of Mozart's Così fan tutte on January 24, 27, 31, and February 12.
Welcome to Florida Grand Opera, Ava. Since you're brand new to our stage, can you please tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a Texas girl, born and raised. I grew up on 50 acres, the oldest of five children. I have six brilliant and adorable nieces and nephews, and I am very close to my family. When I’m not singing opera I can be found hiking, climbing fourteeners, watching football, cooking, running, and working on home improvement projects. (I bought a 1942 bungalow last year!)
My name is pronounced with an AH sound, like avocado… and that green bumpy fruit had a role in my getting that name, too.
We had heard that you were close to your family! In fact, you used to sing with your dad when you were younger. What is your favorite memory you have of singing with your dad?
I would probably have to say singing with him at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic, when I had just graduated from high school. It was a GIANT stage, for a whole field full of thousands and thousands of people. It was by far the biggest audience I’d ever performed for, and it was super exciting for me.
We can only imagine how exciting that must have been! However it probably set the stage (pun intended) for a very exciting singing career. In fact, you are a Grammy nominee—congratulations! What was that like?
Yes! I was a nominee in 2011 for singing the role of Cleopatra in Hasse’s Marc’ Antonio e Cleopatra. I found out via text message when I woke up around 6:00am, so my first thought was, “Is this a joke?”
The piece we had done had never been recorded in its entirety, so I think that had something to do with it. Honestly, it was just such a surprise! It wasn’t even on my radar screen as a possibility. The piece had just two singers in it, so I was very proud of my contribution to the production.
That is a great accomplishment, and we are proud to have you here! Taking a look at your history, from what we can see, you are no stranger to Mozart roles. What is your favorite aspect of performing a role in a Mozart opera?
The recitative! It’s the most challenging part to learn, but there is so much fun to be had with it. It’s the aspect of the music that allows for the most artistic freedom and flexibility of interpretation.
We couldn't agree more. We also noticed that this is your first Despina. How is the role of Despina different from the other roles you have performed (Mozart or otherwise)?
The other Mozart roles I’ve done have been characters who were really and truly the heart and soul of the opera (for example: Susanna, Pamina). Despina is more like the comic relief. She’s the devil on the shoulder of the sisters, telling them to give into their desires.
But even with that distinction, Despina has a heart and soul of her own. So I approached the role by embracing the comic, embracing the silly… but also finding the facets within the character that explain why she is who she is.
I imagine that Despina’s casual attitude toward love and fidelity, while fun and joyful for her now, probably came from a place of hurt at one point. That depth of feeling makes things interesting for me as a performer, and I do my best to make that interesting for the audience too—while still serving the libretto Da Ponte gave us, the music Mozart gave us, and the structure our director has given us.
What aspect of Così fan tutte are you looking forward to the most?
I’m just loving being able to immerse myself in Mozart every day. I don’t get to sing anything lyrical or lovely (literally EVERYTHING I sing is fast and full of words), but the music that I get to listen to others sing is SO gorgeous!From your point of view: Why should people come to see this production of Così fan tutte?
Well, one never knows how Così fan tutte is going to end… Will it be happy or sad? Will the girls stay with their original guys, or will they make another choice? Every director has a different take on it, and this production is no different.
Great point, and Director Bernard Uzan is certainly shaking the story up a bit!
Let's wrap up with some fun questions. For starters, what is your favorite food?
Is bourbon an acceptable answer? I worked in Kentucky last year and came away with a new love. I’m working on building my collection.
We'll take it! Finally, if you could be serenaded by anyone (living or dead), what song or musical work would you like to be performed, and by whom?
I would love to hear the late Van Cliburn play some Chopin nocturnes. I live in Fort Worth, Texas, and Van was a huge musical presence there. Even for all the years I lived there while he was living, I never got to hear him play live.
To see Ava Pine perform the role of Despina in Florida Grand Opera's fresh new take on Mozart's 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.
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