Meet the Student: Q&A with Tenor Joseph Tancredi
Tenor Joseph Tancredi, from Bayville, New York, stars as Nemorino in Curtis Opera Theatre’s future-forward steampunk and Victorian Era-inspired production of Gaetano Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love (L’elisir d’amore). He entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2019 and studies in the opera program with Jack Li Vigni, adjunct faculty. All students at Curtis receive merit-based, full-tuition scholarships, and Mr. Tancredi is the Alfred Greenberg Memorial Fellow.
How would you describe Nemorino in The Elixir of Love, and how does Sarah Ina Meyer’s vision for the opera add new layers to this 191-year-old character?
Nemorino is warm and innocent guy who is lovestruck and often overlooked. He is always portrayed as an unintelligent type of character, but there is truly so much wisdom and sincerity in his hope to love and be loved, and I really think that that is something to be admired.
Sarah’s vision for this work is so innovative and exciting. She has created a world where the audience experiences such depth of the characters. She has found ways to make parts that may seem superficial more progressive and sophisticated, all while preserving the light-heartedness of the show. I feel so thankful that I’ve gotten to see her vision being brought to life and to have played a part in it!
Have you found any similarities between yourself and Nemorino as you have studied the role and brought him to life in rehearsals?
Nemorino goes through quite the transformation throughout the opera. Whether it’s experiencing a big crush, having feelings for someone and those feelings not being reciprocated, or desperately doing anything you can think of in your pursuit of love—we’ve all been there and can relate to him!
What drew you to continue your vocal studies at Curtis after receiving your Bachelor of Music degree at the Manhattan School of Music, and what have been some of your most memorable moments since you arrived here in 2019?
I was very fortunate to spend a summer at the Chautauqua Voice Institute before my senior year where I met incredible singers who were studying at Curtis at the time—all whom have become great friends of mine. I was so inspired by their artistry, and it became evident to me that Curtis was such a special and transformative place. I couldn’t be more grateful to have studied here. Besides the amazing time I’ve had in this production of L’elisir d’amore, another one of my most memorable moments here at Curtis is singing the Prison Scene/Final Trio from Gounod’s Faust with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Olivia Smith as Marguerite and the head of our department, Eric Owens, singing Méphistophélès. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget.
When did you know you wanted to pursue a career as an opera singer?
Truthfully, it’s so hard for me to name just one pivotal moment. My interest in singing was first sparked by sitting in on my sisters’ voice lessons as a kid and then joining the church choir in my town, thanks to my extremely enthusiastic grandmother. Soon after, I started discovering as many recordings as I could of Luciano Pavarotti that left me in complete awe and became a big inspiration for me to pursue singing. Thankfully, I continue to experience pivotal moments throughout my career that remind me that this is who I am and what I’m meant to be doing.
What excites you the most about this career and art form as you shift from academic studies to participating in more young artist programs with opera companies?
The spontaneity and “the unknown” aspect of this career excite me so much. There is no one path to take as an opera singer, but there definitely comes a time when you must take that leap and trust in the work you’ve put into your craft and the support and guidance you’ve received along the way. Getting to meet new artists and make long-lasting memories both on stage and off is always something that I look forward to. The opera world is ever evolving and with new works and opportunities being created every day, I couldn’t be more excited to see where it’s headed!
Joseph Tancredi recently received rave reviews when he stepped in at the last minute to sing the challenging tenor solo in Opera Philadelphia’s Carmina Burana as ailing tenor Alasdair Kent had to bow out–an hour before curtain. Read the article in The Philadelphia Inquirer HERE.
CURTIS OPERA THEATRE: THE ELIXIR OF LOVE (L’ELISIR D’AMORE)
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by Felice Romani
Friday, March 10, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Film Center
1412 Chestnut Street
Click HERE for more information.
Single tickets for The Elixir of Love start at $19: Curtis.edu. Subscription tickets are also available.
The Curtis Opera Theatre is generously supported by the Ernestine Bacon Cairns Trust, the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, and the Wyncote Foundation.
Photos of Joseph Tancredi: 1.) Nichole MCH Photography 2.) Headshot by Max Woltman. 3.) Joseph Tancredi performing in the Curtis Symphony Orchestra and Curtis Opera Theatre’s opening concert of the 2022–23 season at Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center; David DeBalko. 4.) Joseph Tancredi as Nemorino in Curtis Opera Theatre’s production of The Elixir of Love; Ashley E. Smith, Wide Eyed Studios. 5.) Patrick Wilhelm, Joseph Tancredi, and Ashley Robillard in Curtis Opera Theatre’s production of Albert Herring; William M. Brown. 6.) Curtis on Tour with Eric Owens, Miloš Repický, Joseph Tancredi, Sarah Fleiss, Lucy Baker, and Ting Ting Wong; Micah Gleason Photo.
