In our 75th season finale concert, Cecilia Violetta-Lopez, soprano; Tichina Vaughn, mezzo-soprano; Ben Gulley, tenor; and Matt Boehler, bass join the Flagstaff Symphony, NAU Shrine of the Ages Choir, and Master Chorale of Flagstaff for a powerful performance of Verdi’s Requiem. We asked the four soloists to share a little about themselves.
Q: Where are you from and how did your singing career begin?
C: I was born and raised in Rupert, Idaho, but I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I began my career after graduating from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I fell in love with opera after seeing a school production of La Bohème. I started off as a mariachi singer, however. I learned to sing as a child while working in the beet fields of Southern Idaho with my mother.
T: I am originally from North Carolina but have lived in Germany so long that I call my children and myself Ameropeans. I sang as a child in church and performing arts high school but my singing career began when I won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and subsequently joined the Young Artists Program there.
B: Missouri midwestern raised. I grew up singing in the church and started playing instruments in middle school; but, little me would have giggled in your face if you had tried to tell me I would grow up and into this wonderful career. The arts got their hooks in me and never let go.
M: Originally from Minnesota, I call San Francisco home now. I played trumpet in high school, poorly—not wanting to practice your instrument is an impediment to getting better, who knew? And I was a theater major in undergrad. Our profs told us we should take voice lessons so we could be cast in musicals. I had a great first voice teacher and found my way into opera and classical music pretty quickly after that.
Q: What is something that our patrons might be surprised to learn about you?
C: USA Today named me one of “Idaho’s Top 10 Most Influential Women of the Century.” That is a very short list and a century is a long time! That is quite an honor!
T: My age (but I am not telling)!
B: That I also am a songwriter and recording artist. I enjoy playing the ukelele, piano, guitar and have a pop album of original music, IN BETWEEN, available on all major streaming platforms.
M: I’m also a composer. And a queso enthusiast.
Q: How would you describe the experience of singing Verdi’s Requiem?
C: I would describe the overall experience as surprising. This is my first Verdi Requiem and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this piece is like singing one of Verdi’s operas. I felt like I was dipping into Il Trovatore again. Almost.
T: This piece is one of my all time favorite singing engagements! I have done it many times and it is always an all consuming, deeply personal, and extremely satisfying experience. The beautifully crafted dramatic lines of Verdi tonal architecture combined with the fervent cries and exhortations in the text create a sonic atmosphere that is multi dimensional and awe inspiring.
B: As close to Heaven as one can get without going there. Truly, invoking Maestro Verdi every performance never ceases to astound me and fill me with great privilege and honor to be a conduit of his masterwork.
M: A rush! As fun as it is to experience it in the auditorium, it’s even more fun to be sitting on stage with the orchestra and chorus and feel the vibrations of all the music pouring out around you
Q: What would you say to someone who’s considering coming to this concert?
C: Sit back, relax, close your eyes if you want, but enjoy being immersed in this incredible score. It’s a very exciting piece for all parties involved: the soloists, maestro, the chorus and orchestra. For the listener, Verdi’s Requiem is a myriad of sounds, and colors! There is nothing like it.
T: I would tell them this concert is a must! No matter how many times one gets to experience a Verdi Requiem, it is always a soul stirring, life changing experience.
B: Bring your tissues and revel in the might and majesty that is Verdi’s Requiem. Bask in synergy of the orchestra, the chorus, the soloists….knowing that decades of audience members all leave the theater spellbound and inspired by this incredible masterpiece.
M: Be ready to be floored, plastered to the ceiling in awe! Moved. Healed. It’s a big piece, and it inspires big emotions. We can’t wait to take you on this journey, it is EPIC!
Join us on April 18th at 7:30pm in NAU’s Ardrey Auditorium for Verdi’s Requiem.
