Opera Week – Fun in the Utah Opera Chorus

It’s National Opera Week! We have guest blogs this week from members of the Utah Opera family, explaining their love and relationship with opera. Are you also touched by the opera bug? Tell us about it on our Facebook page, or comment on any of the Opera Week blogs!

Fun in the Utah Opera Chorus
by Ashley Magnus

I hadn’t really been exposed to opera much until I was an undergraduate student, studying voice. I was always far more interested in working behind the scenes on our operas, specifically enjoying stage managing and directing, but as a voice student had to sing my share of required performances as well.  I remember thinking that I couldn’t wait to graduate and get out into the “real world”, where nobody makes you sing the role of “Grandma” in Little Red Riding Hood for a bunch of rowdy kids at the library, and you don’t have to spend all your spare time studying a role that you are singing for no actual class credit. I was positive I would not miss singing onstage at all.

Less than a year later, I had started working for Utah Opera, and got to be around all of the buzz and excitement of working on an opera production again. The first performance at Capitol Theatre that I actually got to see the Utah Opera Chorus featured in was Madame Butterfly - and I, much to my surprise, missed being onstage! I wanted to participate, too! The costumes(kimonos!) and the wigs and the sets were so cool, how could someone not want to be a part of that? Since then, I’ve gotten to participate in a few operas with the company: Gilbert & Sullivan Highlights at Deer Valley, Don Pasquale, Carmen, and Falstaff so far. My favorite part about singing in the Utah Opera Chorus is the camaraderie that comes from working on a show together, and the sense of fulfillment you get when you’ve put on a good performance. I have learned so much about opera since I’ve started working at Utah Opera and participating with the Utah Opera Chorus, and I love continually learning about this wonderful art form!