"Ariodante" Cast Q&A Roundup
Lucy Baker, Sarah Fleiss, Sophia Maekawa, Anastasiia Sidorova (Voice '22), and Juliette Tacchino discuss their roles in Curtis Opera Theatre's haute couture-inspired production of George Frideric Handel’s "Ariodante"
George Frideric Handel’s riveting tale of obsession, desire, and royal intrigue, Ariodante, closes out the Curtis Opera Theatre’s 2022–23 season, May 4 through May 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Perlman Theater in the Kimmel Center. Five of the opera’s stars—Lucy Baker, Sarah Fleiss, Sophia Maekawa, Anastasiia Sidorova (Voice ’22), and Juliette Tacchino—discuss the challenges of bringing their characters to life, share favorite memories of studying here at Curtis, talk about future career plans, and more.
- “Hopefully, this role will be one I continue to perform throughout my career, and it has been such a wonderful experience to start my journey with this character here at Curtis!” —Lucy Baker
- “Overall, the vast amount of musical experiences I have had, along with the support from my colleagues and teachers, have taught me to find the truth in every single piece of music I attempt to perform.” —Sarah Fleiss
- “The most challenging and interesting thing in this role was to portray the sudden shifts in emotion that Ariodante is confronted by. Jealousy, violence, insecurity, and passion are ever-present in this opera, which can, in a way, feel similar to our own relationships with friends and loved ones.” —Sophia Maekawa
- “Learning from my classmates and taking risks together in seminars and on stage have been very special at Curtis. I remember how exciting it was watching your peers making so much progress in one performance seminar.” —Anastasiia Sidorova
- “I am extremely lucky to be able to study here at Curtis. Every day fills me with happiness thanks to my teachers (in particular, Joan), the whole organizational team, and the connections I’ve created with all the great musicians who study here.” —Juliette Tacchino
CURTIS OPERA THEATRE: ARIODANTE
Music: George Frideric Handel
Libretto: unknown, anonymously adapted from Antonio Salvi’s Ginevra principessa di Scozia, based upon Ariosto’s Orlando furioso.
Featuring members of Tempesta di Mare, orchestra
Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 5, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad Street
Click HERE for more information.
Single tickets: $19–55, sold by the Kimmel Cultural Campus Box Office at KimmelCulturalCampus.org, or (215) 893-1999.
The Curtis Opera Theatre is generously supported by the Ernestine Bacon Cairns Trust, the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, and the Wyncote Foundation.
Photos of Lucy Baker, Sarah Fleiss, Sophia Maekawa, and Juliette Tacchino by Nichole MCH Photography. Photo of Anastasiia Sidorova (Voice ’22) courtesy of artist’s official website.