_{OPERA PLACES} Max van Wyck takes us to Buffalo, New York

City where you’re working?
Buffalo, New York.

How long are you working on contract?
I’m under contract for four weeks, from September 1st through 29th. Since my wife Juliana and her family are from Buffalo, we are doing a hometown contract for her. Therefore, I have been here many times since we started dating five years ago for Christmases, birthdays and other holidays.

What’s the opera house like?
Currently we are rehearsing in a beautiful old church down the street from the theatre. We move into Rockwell Hall for Tech week beginning September 21st, I’ve yet to see inside of the theatre.

Where is the most peaceful place in the city?
The most peaceful place so far has been her parents’ neighbourhood, they live in a suburb 20 minutes outside of Buffalo. I’m a city kid so I find suburbia is always so quiet and peaceful.

Best coffee or tea?
There’s a Tim Hortons in Buffalo! Who knew?! So while that’s not the best coffee, I left Canada in 2018 so it’s at least nostalgic to have Timmy’s, even if it’s not the best.

Coolest bar or restaurant you’ve been to?
Ted’s Hotdogs! I had a hotdog with bacon bits, jalapeños and cheese with onion rings. Best onion rings I’ve ever had, washed down with loganberry pop, which was a new flavour for me.

 

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An activity you have done that is unique to the area?
I checked out the Buffalo Naval Museum, which was awesome! They have some old WW2 destroyers and submarines you can tour and see inside of along with weekly fighter jets and tanks.

Is there something unexpected that happens locally that you discovered?
Something unexpected is how good the food is here. Obviously Buffalo wings came from here as well as Buffalo sauce. But the hotdogs, the onion rings, Beef on Weck (roast beef with horseradish on a bun with caraway seeds), ice cream, MILKSHAKES! Can’t remember the last time I had a milkshake and the ones here are so good!

How did you find your accommodation?
My wife and I are cast together [Juliana Curcio, who’s playing Marcellina in the same production], so we found accommodations in her parent’s basement for the month. It’s lovely and quiet, with home cooked meals, and her parents are warm and welcoming which is comforting. Much better than the hotels I usually crash in.

What’s the most important thing you think of when it comes to finding accommodation as a singer?
As a singer, in order of importance, is the price, a decent coffee machine (I know, even though I went to Timmy’s), the location and the ability to practice and make opera noises in the hotel or apartment.

Have you had a chance to explore some galleries or museums?
So far I’ve seen the Navel Museum which I mentioned was great. Seeing the inside of a destroyer and submarine wasn’t something I ever expected to see while singing a Mozart role!