The Artist of the Week is Canadian mezzo-soprano Lizzy Hoyt. She will be singing the role of Dejanira in Handel‘s Hercules at the University of Alberta on February 28th (tickets and info here).
Lizzy is both an award-winning Celtic songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist and a classical vocalist. As a folk musician, she has released five albums and given countless concert tours across Canada. As an opera singer, she has performed with Manitoba Opera, Brott Opera, Manitoba Underground Opera, Little Opera Company and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra among others.
This week, Lizzy chats with us about her love of Handel, how she approaches her career now versus in the beginning and the diverse array of books she is currently reading. Read on to find out more.
When was your first singing lesson (and with whom)?
My first formal singing lessons were in my late twenties with Edmonton voice teacher, Eva Bostrand. I had always loved classical singing but had never studied it. I was living in Edmonton at the time and working as a fiddle player/songwriter/singer in Celtic-folk music. I wanted to start exploring classical music, and my mom knew of Eva’s teaching. She thought Eva would be a good fit – healthy singing, healthy attitudes to singing, and not someone who would constantly tell me there was only one correct way to do something. I was already using my voice professionally at this point and didn’t want to end up with only one possible vocal sound. Anyway, my mom was right! I learned so much from Eva. In fact, I still use many of her images and exercises. And perhaps I can give Eva some credit for my love of singing Handel. One of the first pieces she gave me was Handel’s La Lucrezia cantata – which I love, have recorded and continued singing over the years!
Which opera role do you want to be singing right now?
Usually, whichever role I’m working on. And right now, that is certainly the case. Dejanira in Hercules is an AMAZING role. It goes without saying, but Handel is truly a master. There is so much character detail composed within the music, each aria is very specific to the character’s dramatic arc, and in this work, he writes the BEST mad scene with “Where shall I fly”! I always love singing his music and working on this role has been no exception.
Ariodante has been on my bucket list for some time. It fits so nicely in my voice. I’ve prepared the whole role, so hopefully one day I’ll get to sing it!
Tent or hotel?
Definitely hotel! Preferably with an amazing hot shower, giant king size bed, and with chocolates left on the pillows.
Coffee or tea?
Both! Coffee early in the day, tea later in the day!
What are you afraid of?
Spiders. And I’m an avid gardener! Weeding, pruning, and poking around is much less stressful in the spring before the spiders are out. Late in the summer when they are huge? Different story!
What book are you reading at the moment?
I am currently reading the Bible. It is my first time, so I am a little late to the game. I’m reading both the old and new testaments simultaneously but recently had a realization. For centuries, people went to hear classical music and would recognize parts of the music from the Bible. In my case, I’m doing it in reverse! I keep coming across passages and thinking “Oh, that’s from Messiah! Oh, that’s from that Bach cantata!”. Of course, the Bible is central to the Christian faith, but it is also such a foundational text for western civilization, our laws and customs that I’m really pleased to finally be reading it!
I also have many children’s books on the go with my son – The Hardy Boys, The Wind in the Willows, and we just finished a delightful series called The Brambly Hedge. The stories are lovely and the illustrations are so very beautiful. I’d highly recommend it for those needing a great children’s gift idea!
Guilty pleasure?
I’m not sure how guilty I feel about it, but I have started baking cinnamon buns on a regular basis. And if I may say so, they are pretty good! I think I have the right balance between not-too-cakey and not-too-bready. They are pillowy and moist but not too sweet. I’m currently pregnant with my third child, so if I AM feeling a bit too guilty, I can just blame it on that, right?
If you could be stuck in an elevator with one person, who would it be?
My awesome massage therapist!
What is the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?
Probably nothing very exciting – paying off the mortgage – that sort of thing. But after doing the adult stuff, I’d take my family on a trip to France to see our family. My son loves Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, but when we were there last, it was still closed for renovation. I would love to bring him back to see it – now that we could actually go inside!
What is one very popular thing that you have no interest in?
Only one?! I’m not sure I could even name something that is popular! I like to learn music from 300 years ago and spend time thinking about stylistically appropriate ornaments… I mean, I’m not sure there is much hope for me…
Do you approach singing and/or upcoming projects differently today than you did at the beginning of your career?
Yes! I think as a younger person, music took up more of my life – which makes sense. Getting a career up and going as an independent musician is no small feat. But life circumstances change and naturally, so does one’s relationship with their passions/interests/careers. At this point, I feel that my singing and music accompanies me on my life instead of the other way around. It’s a good feeling!
Who has been inspiring you lately?
People who can keep things in perspective and even have a positive attitude when times are tough. I personally know a few people who do this, and they really do inspire me!
Do you think singers and performers have a more powerful inner life?
No. There are many ways to deepen and explore our own inner lives. Singers and performers happen to use our music, our studying, our work on characters and our practice time to do it. But others (including our audience members) may do it in other ways. I think it would be unwise to assume we are the only ones.
Does singing help keep you young?
I’m not sure. But it keeps me learning, exploring, focused, grounded, and challenged! And those things probably help keep you young, so… YES!
Are you a perfectionist?
In the practice room, yes. In my business work, yes. I have learned to give myself some grace when I get on stage. Life happens and there are never perfect circumstances for our performances. And furthermore, as an artist I’m not really hoping for a “perfect” performance. I think there are better goals for my music-making.
Favourite social media platform?
I’ve learned a lot from having YouTube at my fingertips – everything from cooking, gardening, history lectures, lectures on Shakespeare and “learn to draw” for kids, to the plethora of amazing old performance and masterclass videos of the world’s greatest artists! Before having kids, one of my favourite evening pastimes was a glass of red wine with popcorn (butter, salt and fresh pepper included) and watching old vocal masterclass videos! Such fun!
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIZZY HOYT
VISIT HER WEBSITE
© Matt Duboff
Messiah with the Winnipeg Symphony
© Erik Visser
In Remembrance Recital with the Edmonton Recital Society
© Bob Tinker
In La Cenerentola with Manitoba Opera
Hercules
University of Alberta
IÖLE: Tracy Dahl
HERCULES: Phillip Addis
HYLLUS: John Tessier
DEJANIRA: Lizzy Hoyt
CONDUCTOR: Christopher Bagan
BLUE CROWN BAROQUE ENSEMBLE
VOICE STUDENTS FROM THE U OF A DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
Join us for an exclusive presentation and celebration of G. F. Handel’s rarely performed oratorio, Hercules! Featuring an incredible cast of singers (Tracy Dahl, John Tessier, Phillip Addis, and Lizzy Hoyt), they will be joined by the Blue Crown Baroque Ensemble performing on period instruments and at baroque pitch, led by harpsichordist and conductor Christopher Bagan.
Composed in 1774, the oratorio chronicles the classical myth of the Roman god, Hercules and his wife, Dejanira. Hercules returns from war, having conquered his foe, Oechalia and capturing his daughter Iöle. Dejanira becomes consumed with jealousy after seeing the captive’s youth and beauty. While her son, Hyllus falls in love with Iöle, Dejanira attempts to secure her husband’s fidelity using a charmed robe which she acquired from the centaur, Nessus. Unbeknownst to Dejanira, the robe is imbued with poison and causes Hercules’ death, leading Dejanira to go mad with grief.
A cornerstone composer of the western musical canon, Handel was known for developing the genre of Italian opera and reaching new heights in this form. In 1737, he changed creative direction and began composing English-language oratorios, ultimately making his works more accessible to the middle class. He became so successful that after his Messiah (1742), he never composed an Italian opera again.
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