Jason Ferrante is recognized as one of the leading character singers of his generation. Praised by Opera News for “singing up a stylish storm” and for getting “the gold star for trills,” the American tenor sings both comedians and protagonists on the operatic stage; in concert, a repertoire of a wide range of composers from Bach and Handel to John Musto and Lowell Liebermann.
Ferrante has appeared in over 70 operatic productions on five continents, including performances at New York City Opera, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Teatro Comunale Luciano Pavarotti, The Kennedy Center, Ravinia, and The Juilliard School (where he received both his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees), among numerous others.
In addition, Ferrante has sung with some of the world’s leading conductors, including Seiji Ozawa, Julius Rudel, James Conlon, Leonard Slatkin, Andris Nelsons, Lorin Maazel, David Zinman, and Stephen Lord. He can be heard on recordings of Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots and Chabrier’s Le Roi Malgré Lui with the American Symphony Orchestra.
Ferrante has written for the Juilliard Journal, served as a panelist on the Metropolitan Opera Quiz, and has given masterclasses with schools and young artists programs around the United States.
This local artist, who currently resides in Pembroke Pines, will be returning home to perform the role of Nika Magadoff (The Magician) in Gian Carlo Menotti's musical drama. To see Jason Ferrante in Florida Grand Opera's gripping production of The Consul from May 9-16, simply call FGO's Box Office at 800.741.1010 Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm, or order securely online at FGO.org.
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Hello, Jason, and welcome back to FGO! It hasn't been long since you graced our stage, but why don't we start off with you telling us a little more about you?
Hey! I’m Jason Ferrante and I’m singing the role of The Magician, Nika Magadoff, in The Consul. I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and did my formal training for 7 years in New York City at The Juilliard School.I first got into opera when I was 14, after realizing I was going to be too short to pursue playing baseball for a living. I went to the Baltimore School for the Arts for high school, which changed my life.
Many members of our audience may be surprised to discover that you’re actually a Pembroke Pines resident. How does it feel to perform for your “local opera company?”
Yep, I have lived in Pembroke Pines since 2007. There’s nothing like being away working for a month and getting to come home to a place where people like to go on vacation! I’ve been known to fly home from a gig in a cold climate having changed into shorts and chancletas in the cold city’s airport.It feels nice to sing at my “home” company for all of the obvious reasons like sleeping in my own bed, seeing my family of friends and students regularly, and shopping at Publix. More importantly though, it’s rewarding to do my small part in helping to grow our art form in my own community. There’s seriously no other city in the world like Miami.
On top of being an accomplished performer, you’re also a well-respected voice teacher. Can you reflect on how your teaching career has influenced your performance career?
I think I taught my first voice lesson when I was 16. It started when a fellow student asked if I’d play through some pieces for them in a practice room. I started running my mouth and an hour later, they’d improved. (Full disclosure, that’s not always the case!)You could say I’ve been training to be a teacher all of my life. I was very lucky to do the wealth of my technical work with legendary vocal pedagogue Beverley Peck Johnson while at Juilliard and Aspen. I learned from her the importance of routine, honesty, knowledge, and ethics. She allowed me to sit in on many lessons. She knew teaching was going to become an important part of my life. She once said, “DON’T BE A TEACHER... but, you’ll be a good one."
My teaching and performing inform each other on a regular basis. I think having both a legitimate performance and academic pedigree is essential to being a good teacher. I calculated recently that, cumulatively, I’ve spent over a year of my life just singing Goro in Madama Butterfly. Who cares about Goro, right? But, it means that I’ve spent a lot of time standing just feet away from different women as they figure out how to sing the title role. That front-row seat has taught me a lot.
I’ve now entered a phase in my career where I often teach cast-mates, so the technique conversation has taken on a useful, first-hand dynamic. And, of course, talking about it all the time makes you a more-aware singer yourself. It’s a “win-win” for me.
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| Jason Ferrante coaching former Young Artist Caitlin McKechney in an FGO masterclass |
On that note, quite a few of your students have performed with FGO on the mainstage. Can you name a few of these students and describe what it was like to see them transition from the practice room to the performance hall?
I can safely say that I am 500 times more nervous watching a
student perform than when I actually do it myself. I love seeing someone I
know, student or not, have a singing success. If I had just the smallest
influence on it? Cool.
This season, I’ve been working with several
members of FGO’s Young Artist Program. It’s really fun to work with people I
also consider colleagues. We can be open with each other and do good work at
the same time. Some singers from FGO’s season this year I’ve taught and/or
coached include:
- Daniel Bates, FGO Young Artist, Goro in Madama Butterfly, Ferrando in Così fan tutte, and Nadir in The Pearl Fishers (Daniel is currently covering the role of Nika Magadoff in The Consul)
- Will Hughes, FGO Young Artist, Prince Yamadori in Madama Butterfly, and Zurga in The Pearl Fishers
- Isaac Bray, FGO Young Artist, The Official Registrar in Madama Butterfly, and Guglielmo in Così fan tutte (Isaac is currently preparing the role of Assan in The Consul)
- Caitlin McKechney, FGO Young Artist and Suzuki in Madama Butterfly
- Vanessa Isiguen, FGO Young Artist and Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly
- Jason Slayden, Ferrando in Così fan tutte
- Corey McKern, Zurga in The Pearl Fishers, and
- Hailey Clark, FGO Young Artist, Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, and Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte (Hailey is currently preparing the role of "The Voice" in The Consul).
It’s been
especially fun working with Corey because we’ve been friends
forever and with Hailey on Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte. It’s one of my dream
roles, haha. They all have extraordinary talents which makes my job easier and
I am flattered when anyone willingly puts their livelihood in my hands for
60 minutes.
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| Jason Ferrante and Corey McKern |
Not only have you performed in this opera before, but you’ve also performed this very role many times. Can you describe your character and what attracts you to keep returning to him?
I love singing this part. I first sang it 10 years ago on this very set when it premiered at Arizona Opera. The Magician has to sing beautiful, lyrical music while executing a good deal of stagecraft. I enjoy the challenge of trying to help both of those things coexist.Whenever we get a chance to sing a role that we already know, it’s a great thing. You start noticing and hearing things in the music and text that you may have missed last time. Nika Magadoff is talented, friendly, funny, emotional, and creepy. I often resemble this remark!
We hear that in the process of singing this role over the years you actually have learned quite a few magic tricks. Can you describe a few for us?
Yes! There are a few I’ve accumulated over the years. Menotti was very specific about several tricks and, wisely, gave us license on a few pages to do tricks and illusions of our own choosing.My favorite one (it’s one of Menotti’s specific ones) is when I produce water from Mr. Kofner’s newspaper. It looks cool and could be useful in case I get a dry throat. May I produce iced coffee instead of water? Let me write an email to the props department.
What excites you the most about performing The Consul with FGO?
FGO has assembled a fantastic cast for The Consul. We all know each other already, which will make our being open and honest with each other a lot easier.Keith Phares and I went to school together, and I’m excited to work with him again (even though our characters never interact in this opera). He’s a truly great artist and singer. I’ve been with Victoria Livengood for the past month doing Le nozze di Figaro in Atlanta, and [*in a playful, sarcastic tone*] we don’t like each other at ALL. [FGO: "Clearly...(haha!")]
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| Jason Ferrante and Victoria Livengood |
You haven’t lived until you’ve stood a few feet away from Kara Shay Thomson when she nails a high note. The Magician has the most interaction with the Secretary. Carla Jablonski is going to knock it out of the park. I also have performed a few times with our maestro, Andrew Bisantz. He is a brilliant musician and makes you want to give your very best. I can’t wait.
Try to sum up the plot of The Consul in just 10 words or less.
Trying to escape, either for a minute or forever.What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring young opera singer?
It’s not enough to just have a passion and love for singing. If that were true, I’d be playing for the Miami Heat, acting on Saturday Night Live and cooking in a 5-star restaurant. As singers, we are professional athletes and must study and perfect our craft to the best of our abilities.Hobbyists don’t get paid. When the training and practice are going well, it can be rather dull. That’s when I know I’m on to something.
Make sure the advice you are taking is coming from a reputable source. You wouldn’t get a pedicure from someone who’s never given one, or have your appendix taken out by someone who’s never held a knife. It’s your responsibility, in the end, to take care of your gift.
Never forget that you aren’t learning how to be talented, but rather how to use the talent you already have.
Know your strengths and know where your knowledge stops. Live your life and be kind to yourself and others.
What is your favorite place to grab a bite in Miami? In Broward?
Wow, just one? I have a confession. I love to eat things. Shhh, don’t tell anyone.I think my answer changes depending on my mood! Right now, in Miami, I love Sakaya Kitchen, Yardbird or Tropical Chinese, followed by a cortadito con leche evaporada at Versailles, or a pineapple juice at El Palacio de los Jugos.
Broward has a lot of hidden gems including The Field Irish Pub in Hollywood, Rosie’s in Wilton Manors, and I Love Tacos in Pembroke Pines.
You didn’t ask about dessert. Mojo Donuts in Pembroke Pines. Just go.
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| Famous Mojo Donuts |
What’s your favorite thing to do on a typical day off in South Florida?
On a typical day off, I like to wear flip-flops, drink coffee, sit outside, go to a Marlins game, play with my dogs, eat good things and not shower.
To see Jason Ferrante in Florida Grand Opera's gripping production of The Consul from May 9-16, simply call FGO's Box Office at 800.741.1010 Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm, or order securely online at FGO.org.
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