Così fan tutte is officially over, which means all of our attention is on Bizet's The Pearl Fishers. This week, we speak with soprano Emily Birsan.
On the brink of an international career, Emily most recently finished her third year as a member of the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. This March, Emily will make her FGO debut as Leïla in our production of Bizet's The Pearl Fishers. Keep reading for her exclusive "Meet Our Artists" interview.
Emily Birsan will be performing the role of Leïla in Florida Grand Opera's lush and exotic production of Bizet's The Pearl Fishers on March 7, 12, and 14.
Emily Birsan will be performing the role of Leïla in Florida Grand Opera's lush and exotic production of Bizet's The Pearl Fishers on March 7, 12, and 14.
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| Emily with Renée Fleming |
Welcome to Florida Grand Opera, Emily! Can you please tell our audience a little bit about you.
I am Emily Birsan, and I’m so happy to be in Miami to sing Leïla in The Pearl Fishers this season! I’m originally from Neenah, Wisconsin, and currently I’m living in Chicago, Illinois. I find myselfgushing about opera to the most random inquisitive people as I travel, and I’m happy to gush here: I love how opera can speak to people from every walk of life… an art form that uniquely expresses our human experience; love, hatred, joy, pain. I feel lucky to be able to explore and share those experiences with an audience through the music every time I perform.
If I had to describe my personality in 3 words, I would say colorful, sincere, and sensitive.
We hear that you have a unique ability called Synesthesia. Can you explain what that is and how it’s affected your performance career?
Emily with Christine Georke
Synesthesia is, simply put, some union of the senses. I studied voice as a young person and started to develop and experience sound with some sort of color correlation. It is another way for me to describe a voice that I hear, or a key; with color. And now, I’ve been trying painting with watercolors at home, and that is a fun hobby for me.
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| Emily with Christine Georke |
We hear that you are a fan of art and architecture. Are you excited to explore Miami’s up-and-coming Wynwood Design District and/or the Art Deco Architecture on South Beach?
Of course I am! I love to explore the art and architecture of every city I go. I plan to defiantly go to the PAMM Museum and the BASS Museum in Miami Beach. Miami has a unique style and I’m happy to be immersed in it for the next month!And we're thrilled you can be here as Leïla! Speaking of which, can you please describe the story of The Pearl Fishers in your own words?
The Pearl Fishers is a love story about the leader of a fishing village,his best friend, and the newly sworn priestess being torn between love and duty. The love of Nadir and Leïla is too strong, and it puts the village in danger. Dun dun dun…
In rehearsal, we have been exploring theatrically “duty” and “love” or the “transportation of love,” which all lie in Bizet’s score. Each character is being challenged, and how they resolve the challenges says something about us as humans. I’m also excited about how dedicated and beautifully the chorus is representing the people of the village. And our dancers are a special treat, you will see!With the role of Leïla, it is challenging to strike a balance vocally and dramatically within her struggle. She is overjoyed to become the savior of the village, and is a devout believer in the gods protecting them. But, she is surprised by her feelings for Nadir and the power of love.
We are sure you'll rise to that challenge triumphantly. You've been receiving rave reviews and are on the brink of an exciting international career. Which roles do you hope to perform in the future?
I’ve had a taste of some of my dream roles, and I really like to think of whatever role I’m doing as my dream role. BUT one that intrigues me is Lulu in Berg’s Lulu, and there is always the complex and beautiful Violetta Valery in Verdi’s La Traviata.Finally, just for fun: If you were a super hero, what would you want your super powers to be?
I have loved ones all over the world, so I think teleportation would have to be my superpower :)To see Emily Birsan perform the role of Leïla in Florida Grand Opera's lush and exotic production of Bizet's The Pearl Fishers, please call our Box Office Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm, at 800.741.1010 or order securely online, 24-hours a day, at FGO.org.
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