Meet the Ensemble - Lorena, Dan and Monica
The entertainment industry is a tough world, but at If Opera we believe artists deserve fair pay and stability, and that this in turn will help them to do their best work. This is why we form a repertory ensemble every season, giving stable employment and experience to a group of performers and crew. Alongside a range of brilliant guest artists and chorus members, our Ensemble appears in a wide range of roles across the season and is the backbone of everything we do.
Over the next four weeks, we’ll be profiling them, to get to know these fantastic singers better. Today meet Lorena Paz Nieto, Dan D’Souza and Monica McGhee.
Lorena Paz Nieto
Spanish soprano Lorena Paz Nieto will play Olga in Fedora and the Duchess/Bottle in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland both at Belcombe Court this summer.
Who inspires you and why?
So many people in so many ways. As a former social worker, I am still inspired by a lot of the people I met and worked with, I often think of them and remember their stories. It's very important to me, and I think it helps give me a sense of perspective.
What is your favourite piece of music to sing?
Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro has always been my absolute favourite, I was lucky enough to sing the role for the first time last summer.
How do you feel about performing with If Opera this summer?
I am so glad to be returning to work with such an exciting company, and I am also really looking forward to returning to Belcombe. Last year it was such a pleasure to work in and enjoy such incredible surroundings, and the local hosts I stayed with were so kind and welcoming.
Dan D’Souza
Dan D'Souza is an Irish-British baritone based in London. This season he plays Cirillo/Boroff in Fedora, Rabbit in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at Belcombe Court and Ebn-Hakia in Iolanta at the Wiltshire Music Centre.
When did you know you wanted to become a singer?
I had an unusual introduction to opera as the first time I heard one was while onstage at the Royal Opera House. I was part of the children’s chorus for the most amazing production of Pagliacci featuring Domingo, Gheorghiu, Hvorostovsky etc. As well as the inevitable musical epiphany I just had so much fun running around onstage and got to skip lessons to hang out with my friends, and most importantly at the time, girls. Singing slowly took over my life from then on.
What is your favourite piece of music to sing?
My favourite piece of music is Meine Dunklen Hände by the German composer Hermann Reutter. In 1957 he set poems by Langston Hughes and Arna Bontemps, writers of the Harlem Renaissance, and they are beautifully harrowing.
How do you feel about performing with If Opera this summer?
I’m really looking forward to this summer. The operas we’re doing are so much fun and I’m looking forward to working with lots of great friends, and especially my wife Beth [Bethany Horak-Hallett].
Monica McGhee
Monica McGhee is a Scottish Soprano. She will play Iolanta in Iolanta at the Wiltshire Music Centre and Humpty Dumpty/Dormouse in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at Belcombe Court.
When did you know you wanted to become a singer?
I either wanted to be an Olympic gymnast or a singer, (clearly a show off of a child) and when I didn’t make a national squad by the age of 12 it was clear that singing would be the one!
How do you feel about performing with If Opera this summer?
I am so excited to be part of this team, it’s a wonderful cast of creatives and I really do feel honoured to be a part of it. I have some friends in the casts so it’s always lovely to get to work with your friends, and also get the chance to meet lovely new colleagues.
Apart from singing, what else do you love to do?
I have recently returned to gymnastics after a rather long hiatus so I’m enjoying tumbling again. I also do a bit of composing - I’m currently writing a Song Cycle of Scots songs based on the works of Scottish female poets, Robert Burns has been celebrated long enough and it’s time to honour some other wonderful poets.