Canadian tenor Josh Lovell takes us to Atlanta, where he is singing the role of Jupiter/Apollo in Handel‘s Semele with The Atlanta Opera from June 7th to 15th (tickets and info).
Josh is a versatile artist who is gaining notoriety in opera houses at home and abroad. This season he returned to Teatro alla Scala and debuted at the Rossini Opera Festival, Oper Frankfurt and The Atlanta Opera. He also appeared in concert with the Chicago Symphony, St. Louis Symphony and the Victoria Symphony.
While in Atlanta, Josh shares his favourite park for a morning walk with his dog Oscar and where to find the best doughnuts and escape rooms in-between rehearsals. Read on to find out more.
City where you’re working?
I am currently working in Atlanta, Georgia with The Atlanta Opera and performing Handel’s Semele.
How long are you working on contract?
The contract is a little over a month.
What’s the opera house like?
The company doesn’t have their own opera house but uses the Cobb Performing Arts Centre, which has good acoustics for opera.
Where is the most peaceful place in the city?
Piedmont Park, it’s great for morning walks with my dog Oscar.
Best coffee or tea?
Bloom Coffee, the doughnuts are delicious.
View this post on Instagram
Coolest bar or restaurant you’ve been to?
Favourite restaurant so far is called O-ku.
An activity you have done that is unique to the area?
The Atlanta Beltline is a 22 mile loop of trails and green spaces. It’s a great place to walk.
Is there something unexpected that happens locally that you discovered?
The Atlanta Jazz Festival.
How did you find accommodation?
The company provided studio-size housing, which is really great and honestly doesn’t happen very often.
What’s the most important thing you think of when it comes to finding accommodation as a singer?
I first look to see if Oscar and I will be comfortable there. From there, I confirm all amenities that we need and then see how far it is from the theatre and any rehearsal venues, because I don’t want to live too far from where I will be working.
Have you had a chance to explore some galleries or museums?
I haven’t yet, but now that we are opening, I plan on doing just that.
Is there anything else you’d recommend?
I highly recommend The Escape Game company here in Atlanta. It’s an escape room company that has really awesome games!
LEARN MORE ABOUT JOSH LOVELL
VISIT HIS WEBSITE
© Felipe Barral & TAO Film Studio
Semele dress rehearsal
© Felipe Barral & TAO Film Studio
Semele dress rehearsal
© Felipe Barral & TAO Film Studio
Semele dress rehearsal
Semele
The Atlanta Opera
June 7 – June 15
SOMNUS/CADMUS: William Guanbosu
ATHAMAS: Nils Wanderer
SEMELE: Lauren Snouffer
JUNO/INO: Catherine Martin
IRIS: Elisa Sunshine
JUPITER/APOLLO: Josh Lovell
PASITHEA: Bailey Jo Harbaugh
CONDUCTOR: Christine Brandes
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Tomer Zvulun
SCENIC & PROJECTION DESIGNER: Erhard Rom
COSTUME DESIGNER: Vita Tzykun
LIGHTING DESIGNER: Robert Wierzel
WIG & MAKEUP DESIGNER:
Joyce Degenfelder
CHOREGRAPHER: Amir Levy
INTIMACY COORDINATOR:
Michelle Ladd Williams
CHORUS MASTER: Rolando Salazar
ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR: Clinton Smith
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR: Ian Silverman
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Emma Grimsley
ASSOCIATE COSTUME DESIGNER:
Jen Gillette
PROJECTION PROGRAMMER:
Erin Teachman
Like a painting springing to life, Semele wraps a stunning design around the emotional Baroque music of G.F. Handel. This beautiful production is a modern mythology — a universe where gods walk among us and mortals yearn for love and immortality.
Our characters are no role models! Princess Semele burns passionately for her seducer Jupiter, king of the gods, but is ultimately brought down by his vengeful wife Juno. With the exquisite music of a genius, Semele is a love triangle soaked in sensuality, ambition, and jealousy that features many of G.F. Handel’s most beautiful arias and choruses. A company premiere of a gloriously moving masterpiece of the Baroque era. A Tomer Zvulun production.
Opera Canada depends on the generous contributions of its supporters to bring readers outstanding, in-depth coverage of opera in Canada and beyond.
Please consider subscribing or donating today.
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.
