A conversation with Ferrando, Daniel Bates
Daniel was also featured in a recent blog post recognizing the mentorship efforts of our own Sharpless, Todd Thomas.
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| Gabriele in Simon Boccanegra Santa Fe Opera, 2014 |
Can you please tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Daniel Bates, and I will be playing Ferrando in Così fan tutte. I am from Elmira, New York, and I am currently living here in Miami as a member of FGO’s Young Artist Program.
We are thrilled that you chose to spend your residency with the Florida Grand Opera Young Artist Program. What made you choose FGO over other programs?
I chose to come here to FGO because of the repertoire. I was truly honored when I was offered the roles, and I was really excited that I would get to perform roles—not just cover. That, to me, was going to be a really valuable experience, and I love Mozart’s operas dearly and could not wait to perform Così!
According to you biography, you originally went to school to be a recording engineer. What prompted the decision to become an opera singer?
I originally went to college to become an engineer, but through my first year of college, I quickly realized that wasn't at all what I wanted to do. I was fortunate that my recording program was a Bachelor of Music degree program, which meant I was already admitted into the music school and had to practice an instrument to earn my degree. Therefore I had already auditioned as a voice student and was studying with Dr. Brad Hougham.
He was the reason I got involved in opera. He gave me songs in Italian, French, and German; he made me work really hard to improve as a singer. When I told him I wasn’t sure that I wanted to be a recording major anymore, he suggested that I try out for the Opera and Voice Performance programs. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into both, got a small role in the opera as a sophomore, and I quickly fell madly in love with the art form.
The role of Ferrando is actually not your first time on the FGO stage. Your FGO debut was in our recent production of Madama Butterfly as Goro. Can you tell us what your FGO debut was like?
It was such a privilege to be a part of that show! I have a huge love affair with Puccini, and what better way to make your debut with a company! I was also really happy that I started the year here with that show because I had worked with Marc Astafan on two productions last year, and it was really great to come work at a new company with at least one person I knew in the room.
Goro was also great because, in this really heavily dramatic and beautiful story of Madama Butterfly, he is the one character who is the comic relief of the show. I think that is such an important part of the show to give the audience, and sometimes my colleagues, a moment to breathe before these really intense emotional moments happen.
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| From Left to Right: Daniel Bates as Goro, Todd Thomas as Sharpless, Will Hughes as Prince Yamadori |
You are performing in almost all of our operas this season—how exciting! How are you preparing the music?
It is really exciting and a little nerve wracking! I believe [Director of Artistic Administration and Head of the Young Artist Program] Dr. Julie Maykowski's words to me after offering me the contract were “now go start studying” (haha). I found that so funny, but it was really true.
I immediately ordered scores and began translating. Once they were translated, I started learning Goro and Ferrando at the same time: pitch, rhythm, text, etc. Slowly but surely those roles came along. Once I felt comfortable with those shows I started learning Pearl Fishers (which begins in February 2015).
Learning 3 new roles in a few months is a lot of work. However I am really excited to be doing this work now while I am Young Artist. Hopefully later on in my career, when I have to do it again, I will be that much more prepared for that.
Which role are you looking forward to the most and why?
I think I am most excited about Nadir (from The Pearl Fishers). Before getting the score I only knew the famous duet from the opera ("Au fond du temple saint"). I really didn’t know any of the other music at all and only knew a summary of the plot.
However, once I finally heard the rest of the opera, I was blown away. I listened to Alfredo Kraus sing a rendition of Nadir’s aria, “Je crois entendre encor,” and I just thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard! I still think that now. I still share that recording to friends, for it had a profound effect on me, and it made me immediately excited to begin studying.
"Au fond du temple saint," Daniel Bates, tenor; Thomas Hampson, Baritone; Darryl Cooper, piano
Looking towards the future: What is your dream role?
I would love to perform Rodolfo and Cavaradossi [from Puccini operas La bohème and Tosca]. As I said before, I have a huge soft spot for Puccini, and I really hope that I have a chance to sing these roles at some point in my career.
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| Pong in Turandot Shreveport Opera, April 2014 |
Not only are you great at juggling multiple roles, but we see that you have mastered the art of juggling objects as well! Has your juggling ability ever been featured in a performance?
Sadly, it hasn’t. It would be really fun to use it at some point, though. I did get to walk on stilts in a production, which was really awesome!
Just for fun: If you were a super hero, what would you want your super powers to be?
I think it would be awesome to be able to manipulate time. I am really fascinated with time in general, but the idea of traveling into the past or future is something I would like to do. There are many places I would have liked to see—imagine how easy researching roles in opera would be!
Finally: Why should people come to see this production of Così fan tutte?
You should come to this production of Così fan tutte because you will be surprised! This show is very witty and silly, but there are many "real" moments as well. The music in this show is genius, and I think it has some of the best ensembles in all of opera.
It is also a good show for younger opera goers and people newer to the genre, for it is a comedy and can be a really fun night at the theater!
To read Daniel's feature in "Sharpless Gives Back," please check out this blog post.
To see Daniel Bates perform the role of Ferrando 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.
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