Despite a busy weekend, our own Fiordiligi, Young Artist Hailey Clark, was able to take some time and answer a few questions for this next installment of "Meet Our Artists."
Hailey will be performing the role of Fiordiligi with our other Young Artists on January 25, 30, and February 14.
Although you've been on our mainstage before, why don't you start off by introducing yourself?
I’m Hailey Clark. I’m originally from Cary, North Carolina, and I’m currently an operatic nomad. “Home” will be New York City with my fiancé (also a singer) and our dog after we both finish with summer contracts in July.We are thrilled that you chose to spend this season in residence with Florida Grand Opera’s Young Artist Program. What made you choose FGO over other programs you may have received offers from?
You mean aside from the fact that we get to soak up the sun in lovely Miami while our friends brave winter snowstorms? :)First, the company has a long-standing reputation of hosting some of the world’s greatest singers. There are so many notable alums of the program having wonderful careers all over the world, several with whom I have worked in other places.
The greatest draw this season, though, was the unique opportunity to perform leading roles in mainstage productions. I am thrilled, thrilled, THRILLED to be singing my first Fiordiligi here in a few short weeks!
We're thrilled to have you performing Fiordiligi as well!
However Così fan tutte will not mark your first time on the FGO stage. Your FGO mainstage debut in Madama Butterfly was cut short due to an accident. Can you tell us about what happened?
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| Hailey as Kate Pinkerton in FGO's Madama Butterfly Photo (c) Rod Millington for Florida Grand Opera |
In the eleventh hour, our lovely ASM (assistant stage manager) Megan came to the rescue! She wore my costume onstage and walked the role while I sang from the wings in a wheelchair. So very dramatic for those seven little lines, but the show had to go on!
I was grateful that my colleague (fellow young artist Rebecca Henriques) was able to finish the rest of the run so that I could recover. I'm happy to report that after physical therapy and four weeks in a splint I’m up and running (literally!) around stage in Così fan tutte rehearsals.
You’re recently engaged. Congratulations! If you don’t mind, tell us about your fiancé and what it is like to be in a relationship with another opera singer, and how you are managing to plan a wedding while participating in our Young Artist Program.
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| Hailey and her fiancé, Joseph Dennis |
Thank you! Yes, I’m engaged to another opera singer, which, as you can imagine, comes with an unconventional life of travel, balancing schedules, Skype video calls, sacrifices, and suitcases. But I wouldn’t have it any other way!
I met my WONDERFUL fiancé Joseph Dennis (a tenor—ha! What was I thinking?), when we were both apprentices in the summer of 2013 at the Santa Fe Opera. We have been fortunate to spend quite a bit of time with one another at various gigs, share holidays with families, and support one another by traveling for performances and premieres.
This year has been unique because Joe is in NYC at Juilliard, but at least we’re in the same time zone! When my contract finishes in May, we’ll spend a few months on the road together for summer festivals and then we’re having a small, low-key wedding with family and friends in August.
We wish you and Joe the best! Now let's talk about the men in Fiordiligi's life!
If you, Hailey Clark, were in a similar situation that Fiordigili finds herself in (disguises and fiancé-swapping), how do you think you’d react when all is revealed?
You know, Così is so interesting because, in one way, it’s designed to be this whimsical, ridiculous comedy, spun in a day with gullible girls and over-the-top disguises. But the text and the themes are charged with truth about human behavior, intention, denial, infidelity, and even comment on socio-political injustices.On the surface level, of course, if I were in a similar situation, I’d be embarrassed and spitting mad (I’m engaged to an identical twin and they always joke about tricking us and switching places).
It’s hard to imagine anyone wanting anything to do with ANYONE in this story after it’s all over. My hope for Fiordiligi, as I’m playing her, is that she walks away with some self-awareness and maturity. And, of course, a sense of humor about it all.
Why should people come to see this particular production of Così fan tutte?
Sometimes, when you’re having so much fun, during the creative rehearsal process of a production with a cast and crew, it’s hard to be objective about the final product of a show.
However I can say, without a doubt, that this will be a wildly fun, colorful, silly, honest, and provocative updated interpretation of Così fan tutte. Between [director] Bernard Uzan’s creative vision and [conductor] Ramón Tebar’s mastery of style, both casts are having a blast finding humor and truth in every scene. Not one to miss!
Fantastic! And, finally (just for fun): If there were a “Hailey Clark Cocktail,” what would the recipe be, and why?
Hmm, recently I’m a big fan of the combination of Mezcal, ginger, and cucumber. A little smoky, a little spicy, but still sweet and fresh…did I just design my own fragrance, too?
To see Hailey Clark perform the role of Fiordiligi 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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