Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week 20 Qs for Karine WhiteKarine is a Dora Award – nominated artist and performing and visual arts educator. Career highlights include touring with Opera Atelier to the Royal Opera House at the Palace of Versailles and performing Sister Constance in Dialogue des Carmélites, Musetta in La bohème, Despina in Così fan tutte and Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro in Italy.This week, Karine shares who inspired her to sing, her favourite fall film and the best thing about being an opera artist. Read on to find out more.When was your first singing lesson (and with whom)? I took my first singing lesson when I was six years old with Irene Ilic. She taught me to love the process of learning and performing music accurately and quickly, across all genres and languages, for over ten years. I am very grateful to herWhat/who inspired you to sing? Natalie Dessay. The first opera I ever saw was Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment during a MET live in HD broadcast. Her comedic timing and athleticism were incredible, paired with her vocal agility. I still think about it to this day.Favourite city that you’ve worked in? A teacher. I’m honoured to be on Faculty at St. Anne’s School in Aurora as a Music and Visual Arts teacher for grades 5-9. These amazing girls inspire me everyday. Go CygnetsDon’t do this to me… today it’s La bohème, Le nozze di Figaro and The Magic Flute. Ask me again tomorrow.Who is a singer you admire that is currently working? Diana Damrau. I deeply admire the way she can make an audience laugh and cry within the same aria, a real master in dramatic and vocal control.What’s the strangest/funniest thing that has happened to you on stage? Let’s just say it involved a faulty skirt clasp during an outdoor theatre-in-the-round performance (audience members sitting around all sides of the stage)… good thing that opera was a comedyWhat’s your favourite thing about singing with an orchestra? The power of it. There is nothing quite like a full orchestra propelling the drama, the story, and your voice forward, all at once. It’s quite humbling.What’s something most people don’t know about opera life? Opera is unamplified No microphones anywhere. This is why, unlike musical theatre with eight shows per week, operas are typically performed two to three times per week in order for the singers to rest their instruments in between performances.Coffee or tea? Both Coffee in the morning, tea at nightWhat’s your ancestry? Irish and French.What’s your favourite mind-calming practice? Prayer. Giving thanks for the joy of being able to do what I love always helps me relax and focus on having a great time on stage.What’s the luckiest thing that has ever happened to you? I was asked to step into a lead role the day of a performance because the soprano was sick. I wasn’t even a cover That experience opened doors to many other wonderful opportunities in my career.What’s the best thing about being an opera artist? Working with such inspiring people. My fellow artists challenge me to be the very best I can be at what I do, and I hope to do the same for them. Opera is a team sportWhich actress/actor would be cast as you in a film about your life? Absolutely I’m so thankful to have had the chance to perform in different parts of the world and for audiences in different countries. It’s an amazing thing to bring an opera in Italian to an Italian audience for example, because you understand each other so clearly It also keeps you on your toes for accurate language pronunciation. (Thank you to our amazing diction coaches)Yes, and I’m working on that. Practice makes p-Cast (The Magic Flute)TAMINO: Colin AinsworthPAMINA: Meghan LindsayPAPAGENO: Douglas WilliamsPAPAGENA: Karine WhiteFIRST LADY: Carla HuhtanenSECOND LADY: Danielle MacmillanTHIRD LADY: Laura PudwellQUEEN OF THE NIGHT: Rainelle KrauseSARSASTRO: Stephen HegedusMONOSTATOS: Blaise RantoaninaSPIRIT 1: Katie LairSPIRIT 2: Alison BeckwithSPIRIT 3: Cynthia Smithers1ST ARMED MAN: Alexander Capallazzo2ND ARMED MAN/SPEAKER: Olivier LaquerreSUPER DRAGON: Jeremy NasmithSung in Andrew Porter’s delightful English translation, Opera Atelier’s production of The Magic Flute is a joyous tribute to Mozart’s vision of an accessible, comic masterpiece. Redesigned with magic and wonder by Gerard Gauci in 2013, this enchanting production brings to life dragons, flying machines, and dazzling 18th-century special effects that create a truly fairy-tale atmosphere.Join Prince Tamino and the charming bird-man Papageno on their thrilling quest to rescue Princess Pamina from the mysterious Queen of the Night. This family-friendly opera is perfect for families looking for cultural events in Toronto.The Magic Flute stars many of Opera Atelier’s audience favourites, including tenor Colin Ainsworth as Tamino, soprano Meghan Lindsay making her role debut as Pamina, and bass baritone Douglas Williams debuting as the lovable Papageno.Also featured is an impressive cast with bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus as Sarastro, tenor Blaise Rantoanina as Monostatos, and soprano Karine White as Papagena. The Three Ladies are brought to life by soprano Carla Huhtanen, mezzo-soprano Danielle MacMillan, and mezzo-soprano Laura Pudwell. Opera Atelier is thrilled to welcome soprano Rainelle Krause in her highly anticipated company debut as the dazzling Queen of the Night — a role that has won her international acclaim.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. #J-18808-Ljbffr