The Artist of the Week is bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus, who will be singing Publio in Mozart‘s La clemenza di Tito with Pacific Opera Victoria from October 16th to 22nd (tickets and info here).
This season will have Stephen singing on stages all across Canada. In April, he will return to Opera Atelier for their production of Charpentier’s David et Jonathas. Equally at home on the concert stage, he will be performing Mozart’s Coronation Mass with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, an all Bach program with Les Violons du Roy and Handel’s Messiah at the National Arts Centre.
This week, Stephen shares his top camping spots, biggest inspirations and favourite roles.
What/who inspired you to sing?
I had wonderful choral conductors growing up at St. Michael’s Choir School. We were fortunate to perform all over North America and beyond. They all inspired me in their own way.
Favourite place?
Just one? Camping trips with my daughters to Killarney Provincial Park.
Which opera role do you want to be singing in 10 years?
I would love to sing some of the big villains – Scarpia in particular.
Who is a singer you admired from the past?
Bryn Terfel, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Pavarotti – incredible artists and technicians.
What is your favourite thing about singing with an orchestra?
I love hearing the richness of natural acoustics. There is nothing like it, Taylor Swift. No autotune allowed.
Tent or hotel?
I love both – but my greatest memories are in the back country of Algonquin.
Coffee or Tea?
This isn’t a real question. They only tea I’ve ever known is in the alphabet.
What’s your ancestry?
Both sides of my family escaped Hungary before/during the ’56 revolution. My dad was a refugee taken in by England and my mom was born in São Paulo prior to moving to Canada.
What’s your favourite mind-calming practice?
I love running. I have completed a handful of half marathons and one marathon (thank you Walt Disney). It helps me to de-stress.
What’s your favourite non-classical band?
Tragically Hip.
Where’s your favourite coffee shop?
My favourite coffee shop is in Roncesvalles in Toronto: Cherry Bomb. It helped fuel us during the births of both our children next door at St. Joe’s.
What’s the best thing about being an opera artist?
The best thing is being able to make music at a high level with colleagues from around the world.
What book are you reading at the moment?
I just finished This is Happiness by Niall Williams. It’s such a beautiful book (shout out to Brett Polegato for the recommendation).
What’s a big investment for an opera artist, but totally worth it?
Finding a teacher and coach(es) that you trust and continuing to learn with them.
When did you know you wanted to be an opera singer?
When I was 18 I started going to the opera – cue inner voice – “I could do that.”
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Learn your music. Always be prepared.
What is one very popular thing that you have no interest in?
Fitting in.
Who has been inspiring you lately?
I am lucky to be a dad and a teacher – it’s my kids and students that inspire me.
The music industry is tough, and filled with rejection. How do you cope? Does it get easier?
Develop a network of people around you that support you and that you support. My identity and self-worth are not based on the whims of the music industry.
What is the ultimate goal of opera?
To defeat the Empire. Ok no, it’s to elevate humanity – but first and foremost to be enjoyable.
How old were you when you discovered opera?
I remember my grandmother playing opera all of the time in her apartment. The Solti/Ramey recording of Le nozze di Figaro was and still is one of my favourites.
Which of your roles has had the greatest impact on your perspective?
I really love singing the Mozart/Da Ponte operas (Leporello, Figaro, Count, Guglielmo, Alfonso). Leporello, especially, provides the performer with such an amazing variety of choices to make.
LEARN MORE ABOUT STEPHEN HEGEDUS
VISIT HIS WEBSITE
© François Goupil
With Yannik Nézet-Séguin and the Orchestre Métropolitain
© Bruce Zinger
Le nozze di Figaro with Opera Atelier
La clemenza di Tito
Pacific Opera Victoria
October 16 – 22
TITO: Andrew Haji
VITELLIA: Tracy Cantin
SESTO: Taylor Raven
SERVILIA: Julia Dawson
ANNIO: Reilly Nelson
PUBLIO: Stephen Hegedus
CONDUCTOR: Giuseppe Pietraroia
STAGE DIRECTOR: Jennifer Tarver
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Amanda Testini
SET DESIGNER: Camellia Koo
LIGHTING DESIGNER: Kimberly Purtell
STAGE MANAGER: Christopher Sibbald
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: Katerina Sokyrko
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: Kelsey Cain
Wolfgang Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito is a captivating opera seria that unfolds against the backdrop of ancient Rome. Emperor Tito, renowned for his benevolence and clemency, grapples with political intrigue and personal conflicts. The narrative takes a thrilling turn as Tito faces betrayal from those closest to him, including his closest friend Sesto and the enigmatic Vitellia. The opera reaches its climax with Tito’s struggle to balance mercy and justice, culminating in a powerful display of forgiveness and redemption. The sumptuous arias and emotionally charged ensembles, combined with Mozart’s exquisite orchestration, create a musical tapestry that elevates the drama to extraordinary heights, making La clemenza di Tito a timeless masterpiece.
Mozart’s opera is a tour de force of vocal virtuosity and dramatic intensity, exploring themes of power, loyalty, and the transformative nature of mercy. The characters come to life through Mozart’s masterful use of melody and harmony, with each aria expressing the complex emotions of love, betrayal, and forgiveness. The opera’s triumphant conclusion not only showcases Mozart’s genius but also leaves audiences with a profound reflection on the enduring power of compassion and the human capacity for redemption. La clemenza di Tito stands as a testament to Mozart’s ability to craft emotionally resonant and musically sublime works that continue to captivate audiences around the world.
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Máiri Demings is Opera Canada’s digital content specialist. She’s also a mezzo-soprano who has sung with Tapestry Opera, performs regularly with VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert and Toronto Operetta Theatre, and is one half of duo mezzopiano with pianist Zain Solinski.
