Our Artist of the Week is Canadian tenor Scott Rumble, who is making his role debut as the Steuermann in Vancouver Opera‘s new production of The Flying Dutchman, which opened April 29 (two performances left on May 4 and 7 (tickets here)). Rumble stars alongside Canadian baritone Gregory Dahl (The Dutchman), American dramatic soprano Marjorie Owens (Senta), South Korean tenor Wookyung Kim (Erik), Welsh bass Richard Wiegold (Daland), and Canadian mezzo-soprano Megan Latham (Mary). Les Dala conducts; Brian Deedrick directs.
It’s been an exciting 2022/23 season for Rumble, whose made multiple role debuts on Canadian stages. Recent highlights include his role debut as Alfredo in Toronto Operetta Theatre‘s Die Fledermaus in December 2022, his debut as Jason in Voicebox: Opera in Concert‘s Médée in February 2023, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Kingston Symphony Association. Rumble is an alumnus of Calgary Opera‘s Emerging Artist Development Program and Vancouver Opera‘s Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program.
When was your first singing lesson (and with whom)?
My first singing lesson was when I was 17, with my high school musical theatre teacher, Chuck Baxter, after being conned into auditioning for the school musical of Les Mis even though I originally wanted to be on the tech crew.
Who inspired you to sing?
Gwenlynn Little inspired me to sing. She helped me find the joy in exploring new sounds. I remember one lesson I got so excited about a new sound we had discovered that I started to do cartwheels around the entire church.
Drink of choice?
Non-alcoholic would be a good coffee. For something a little more fun, I’d have to go with a nice G&T.
Who is a singer you admire that is currently working?
Currently I admire Piotr Beczala. I love the warm and expressive colours of his voice.
Favourite place?
I love relaxing in my family’s backyard in Woodstock, Ontario.
Top 3 favourite composers
Richard Strauss, Puccini, and Britten
Top 3 favourite operas
Il Tabarro, Peter Grimes, and Die Walküre
Which opera role do you want to be singing right now?
Canio in Pagliacci
Which opera role do you want to be singing in 10 years?
I’d love to sing Apollo in Daphne!
Who is a singer you admired from the past?
I really admire Siegfried Jerusalem. It’s just such an exciting voice to listen to and when he sings it commands your full attention.
What are you afraid of?
Swimming in water where you can’t see the bottom. That’s a big nope.
What was the first opera you ever saw?
The first opera I ever saw was The Barber of Seville on YouTube. In person it was Gisela In Her Bathtub at Halifax Summer Opera Festival.
What’s your favourite mind-calming practice?
For me, weight lifting calms my mind. I think it’s the counting of the reps or the rhythmic breathing.
What’s your favourite movie?
I love “Princess Mononoke” from Studio Ghibli.
Where did you go to school?
Shout out to Woodstock Collegiate Institute for high school. I went to Western University in London, Ontario for my bachelor’s and an Artist Diploma and then went to the University of British Columbia for my Masters Degree.
Where’s your favourite coffee shop?
Early Bird Coffee in Woodstock, Ontario! It’s where I memorize a lot of my music.
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What’s the best thing about being an opera artist?
Getting to meet and learn from so many amazing, talented, and kind people!
What book are you reading at the moment?
I’m currently reading a manga series called “Monster” by Naoki Urasawa.
What nickname do your friends call you and why?
“Scrumblez/Scrumbz”… just to condense my name and throw on a cheeky ‘z’ for some spice.
When did you know you wanted to be an opera singer?
When I was in my first year of undergrad, working on a variety of scenes for an opera gala. I just thought this is the most fun and cool experience putting together these characters and also creating music with others.
Does singing help keep you young?
I’d say it helps keep me mentally young and fresh, and get to feed your inner child by playing pretend infront of people. But on the flip side, since I started singing my hair has gotten significantly more grey.
Favourite social media platform?
Instagram always seems to pop up on my phone somehow…
LEARN MORE ABOUT SCOTT RUMBLE
VISIT HIS WEBSITE
Scott Rumble performing at Against the Grain Theatre’s Opera Pub © Taylor Long Photography
Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman
Vancouver Opera
April 29-May 7
GREGORY DAHL / MARJORIE OWENS / WOOKYUNG KIM / RICHARD WIEGOLD / SCOTT RUMBLE / MEGAN LATHAM
Based on a European maritime legend, The Flying Dutchman tells the haunting story of a sailor and his daughter who encounter a ghost during a storm on the sea. The Dutchman, who has been condemned to wander for eternity, is searching for a bride to finally bring him peace. This tragic tale of love and sacrifice is the composer’s first masterpiece and features magnificent orchestration of Wagnerian proportions. This will be a new production for Vancouver Opera.
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