Meet the Stars of Fidelio 10-06-2008 Read The Philadelphia Inquirer's Sunday Preview on Fidelio! With our cast consisting of a Philadelphia favorite, a much-anticipated debut, and a long awaited return, we asked the three stars of Fidelio – Christine Goerke, Anthony Dean Griffey and Greer Grimsley – to tell us about one of their most memorable performance experiences, and to share their favorite part of being in Philadelphia. Here’s what they said… Christine Goerke, powerhouse star of last season’s Norma, in her role debut as faithful wife Leonore/Fidelio. Please tell us about one of your most memorable performance experiences. The good ones or the embarrassing ones? I was in a production at the Paris Opera, in the beautiful old "Phantom of the Opera" house…I turned to look at the mezzo who was singing during a performance, stepped on the hem of my gown, and fell flat on my… (ahem)… petticoat in front of a packed house. The mezzo was busily trying to ask if I was okay, because I was on the floor shaking – but she didn't realize that I was hiding my face from the audience LAUGHING. It was so ridiculous, that I couldn't help myself. I got up, brushed off my skirt in a grand gesture and kept going. And I can tell you about an amazing one in that same opera house. My European debut, singing Vitellia in La Clemenza di Tito. It was also the first time that I was singing the role. We had rehearsed in a studio across town, and this was the first day we were in the house. We all went out on stage to start, and I remember standing at the edge of the stage when they were taking the curtain out... and it was my first glimpse of the house from the stage. I thought - this was the most beautiful thing I had *ever* seen, and how incredibly lucky I was to be able to stand there at that very moment. I ended up having a horrible flu for opening, nearly having to cancel, but I went on - and the audience was *so* supportive and lovely that I think it might be my greatest memory yet. (I will say as an aside that the Academy of Music is by far the most gorgeous house where I've ever sung in this country.) What are you enjoying most about Philadelphia? I really *love* Philadelphia. This is my fourth time working with the company, and each time I come, I feel so very much at home … My family and I nearly moved here, we loved it so much - but my husband was offered a great job in NYC, so we're stuck in the rat race for a bit longer...but you never know what the future may hold! Anthony Dean Griffey, star of last season’s Peter Grimes at the Met, in his OCP debut as the unlawfully imprisoned Florestan. Please tell us about one of your most memorable performance experiences. My most memorable performing experience was when I was five years old. I was painfully shy as a child. I grew up singing in children's choir and had my first solo in church. I sang the whole solo with my hands in front of my face. I realized that I could sing what I didn't feel that I could say. It gave a shy little boy a feeling of belonging. What are you enjoying most about Philadelphia? I enjoy the people most in Philadelphia. I truly find it a remarkable place. The Opera Company of Philadelphia is such a warm working environment. Greer Grimsley, consummate international Wagner bass-baritone, in his long-awaited return as Don Pizarro. Please tell us about one of your most memorable performance experiences. My Metropolitan Opera debut, and singing my first Wotan in Seattle's Ring Cycle…although my favorite opera experience was meeting my wife on our first production of Carmen. She was Carmen and I was singing Escamillo. We rewrote the ending of that opera. What are you enjoying most about Philadelphia? The best part of being in Philly is that it is home. I live in Bucks County.
Read The Philadelphia Inquirer's Sunday Preview on Fidelio!
With our cast consisting of a Philadelphia favorite, a much-anticipated debut, and a long awaited return, we asked the three stars of Fidelio – Christine Goerke, Anthony Dean Griffey and Greer Grimsley – to tell us about one of their most memorable performance experiences, and to share their favorite part of being in Philadelphia. Here’s what they said…
Christine Goerke, powerhouse star of last season’s Norma, in her role debut as faithful wife Leonore/Fidelio.
Please tell us about one of your most memorable performance experiences.
The good ones or the embarrassing ones? I was in a production at the Paris Opera, in the beautiful old "Phantom of the Opera" house…I turned to look at the mezzo who was singing during a performance, stepped on the hem of my gown, and fell flat on my… (ahem)… petticoat in front of a packed house. The mezzo was busily trying to ask if I was okay, because I was on the floor shaking – but she didn't realize that I was hiding my face from the audience LAUGHING. It was so ridiculous, that I couldn't help myself. I got up, brushed off my skirt in a grand gesture and kept going. And I can tell you about an amazing one in that same opera house. My European debut, singing Vitellia in La Clemenza di Tito. It was also the first time that I was singing the role. We had rehearsed in a studio across town, and this was the first day we were in the house. We all went out on stage to start, and I remember standing at the edge of the stage when they were taking the curtain out... and it was my first glimpse of the house from the stage. I thought - this was the most beautiful thing I had *ever* seen, and how incredibly lucky I was to be able to stand there at that very moment. I ended up having a horrible flu for opening, nearly having to cancel, but I went on - and the audience was *so* supportive and lovely that I think it might be my greatest memory yet. (I will say as an aside that the Academy of Music is by far the most gorgeous house where I've ever sung in this country.)
What are you enjoying most about Philadelphia?
I really *love* Philadelphia. This is my fourth time working with the company, and each time I come, I feel so very much at home … My family and I nearly moved here, we loved it so much - but my husband was offered a great job in NYC, so we're stuck in the rat race for a bit longer...but you never know what the future may hold!
Anthony Dean Griffey, star of last season’s Peter Grimes at the Met, in his OCP debut as the unlawfully imprisoned Florestan.
My most memorable performing experience was when I was five years old. I was painfully shy as a child. I grew up singing in children's choir and had my first solo in church. I sang the whole solo with my hands in front of my face. I realized that I could sing what I didn't feel that I could say. It gave a shy little boy a feeling of belonging.
I enjoy the people most in Philadelphia. I truly find it a remarkable place. The Opera Company of Philadelphia is such a warm working environment.
Greer Grimsley, consummate international Wagner bass-baritone, in his long-awaited return as Don Pizarro.
My Metropolitan Opera debut, and singing my first Wotan in Seattle's Ring Cycle…although my favorite opera experience was meeting my wife on our first production of Carmen. She was Carmen and I was singing Escamillo. We rewrote the ending of that opera.
The best part of being in Philly is that it is home. I live in Bucks County.
