BWW Blog: Mezzo-Soprano Claudia Chapa Reflects on OHs THE MEDIUM & THE TELEPHONE

By: Nov. 07, 2015
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Mezzo-soprano Claudia Chapa packing heat as Madam Flora
in Opera in the Heights' THE MEDIUM.
© Deji Osinulu Photography

Opening weekend at Opera in the Heights for the double bill of THE TELEPHONE and THE MEDIUM has finally come and gone! I am writing this after the first two performances, and I believe it went awesomely. Team TELEPHONE and Team MEDIUM LIT IT UP!

Opening night was on the eve of Halloween, so OH! held a costume contest; several of our audience members joined in the fun! I was also in charge of OH!'s Instagram takeover. Check out @operaintheheights to get up close and personal with what happened backstage.

We had a "Talk Back" after the matinee performance on Sunday, which was a chance for the audience members to ask us ANYTHING! It was enlightening to hear what the audience felt after our performance and fun to answer questions about the operas, our backgrounds and (SPOILER ALERT) where the blood comes from when a certain cast member dies.

***

As I reflect on this past weekend, I've determined that my favorite part about making opera is the rehearsals. Of course, performing is up there, but there is something incredibly special about the rehearsal process. Different people with diverse backgrounds and experiences gather to create art that the public will see weeks later.

How amazing is THAT!? All of our musical and acting nuances are cultivated in these rehearsals. The way we interact determines the cast's flow. THE TELEPHONE and THE MEDIUM that we created for Opera in the Heights can never be replicated. The shows on Thursday, November 5th and Saturday, November 7th will be different from the previous weekend. And, that's exciting! LIVE ART!

Post-opening weekend I have a couple of days off until the next show. I'm using this time to prepare for some upcoming gigs I have at the end of the month and a collaboration with classical guitarist Arnold Yzaguirre.

If the previous weekend is any indication of the rest of the run, we are going to have a fantastic finish!

For more information on Claudia Chapa, visit www.claudiachapa.com.

The final performance of THE MEDIUM AND THE TELEPHONE is November 7 at 7:30 pm. For more information, visit www.operaintheheights.org/the-medium-the-telephone.



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