Meet the Artists: Pa…….pa..pa…

[This is the first in a new series of posts, Meet the Artists, in which we will introduce you to some of the many young artists who have worked with us since our inception in 2006. Stay tuned for more!]

coópera audiences may remember Adam Cavagnaro and Nina Riley as the charming Papageno and Papagena in our 2007 production of The Magic Flute. We at coópera know them as two of the most positive, hard-working and fun singers we have had the pleasure of working with so far. Adam also joined us in our first season as Basilio in Il barbiere di Siviglia and Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, and in 2008 as Junius in The Rape of Lucretia, a production in which Nina sang the role of Lucia. They were kind enough to answer a few of our questions and share a bit more about themselves, onstage and off…

What is your favorite opera role you’ve ever performed?

Adam: I really enjoy Papageno in Magic Flute. He is such an honest character which often gets him into trouble, but in the funniest way possible! It was great to do this role with POM because of the open attitude they have about opera. In order to give as honest a performance as Papageno calls for, it's important to feel supported by the company you're working with. I was able to try anything on stage and felt confident I would get constructive criticism back from the production team.

Nina: Despina in Cosi fan tutte – it was the first role I ever did. I had so much fun playing the character and it helped me to really let go of my shyness, especially playing the doctor and notary.

If you could play any operatic role in the repertoire, regardless of fach, what would it be and why?

Adam: It would have to be Rosina in Barber of Seville! I love the aria "Una voce poco fa." I love the character and flavor of the piece, not to mention the amazing coloratura!

Nina: I have never sung Susanna from Le nozze di Figaro, and it is the role I want to do most. Why? Because it’s one of my favorite operas ever!!!!

Describe a fun or humorous POM memory.

Adam: The season I did Flute with POM was filled with so many stories! We did two performances in one venue and the final two performances in a different venue. Papageno has a line that says, "May the earth swallow me whole!", and he was supposed to sink into the stage and be "swallowed" by the earth. In the first venue there was some creative staging that let me fall to the ground behind a half-wall so the audience couldn't see what was actually happening. For the last two performances, because we changed venues, the staging we had previously used was not going to work. The problem is I realized this as I was on stage about to say the line! Thanks to some quick thinking I said, "May the earth swallow me whole,"and dropped to the ground and rolled off stage!! Many thanks to POM for being the kind of company where rolling around on the floor is OK!!

Nina: I was going to say the same thing! It still makes me laugh to think about Adam rolling off the stage. A fun memory for me was the entire process of putting on The Rape of Lucretia – the music was so gorgeous. Hard, but I loved it!!!

If you were a musical instrument, what would you be and why?

Adam: A wind machine. I mean, come on.

Nina: Ummmm.....maybe a piccolo? Because… I have a high voice?

If an opera were written about your life, what composer (living or dead) would write it? What famous singer could sing the role of you?

Adam: I would like Adam Guettel to compose and Matthew Worth to perform. I really like Adam's music; it's a combination of musical theatre, pop and opera. As for Matthew Worth: who wouldn't want to be remembered as a hunky baritone with an amazing voice?

Nina: I think the role of me would be a soubrette. Maybe Mozart could write it....that would be cool!

Do you have any pre-show/audition traditions or superstitions?

Adam: When I was in high school I had a plastic coin that I got from a cereal box, that I took to all of the community theatre auditions I went to. I also took it to my undergrad admissions audition at Montclair. After I got into Montclair I decided I didn't need it anymore, and left it at my parent's house. When I audition now, I like to use Scope mouthwash before I leave my apartment, and I like to arrive at the audition venue 30 minutes before hand to focus myself.

What is your favorite meal?

Adam: I love turkey burgers (from Lucky Burger on 52nd street) with Lucky sauce, fries and a black and white shake.

Nina: My mom’s curry rice, Japanese style.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Adam: In 10 years I will be 36. I would like to be on the roster at NYC Opera, have been featured on the Barihunks website and have well established myself as a teacher in Manhattan.

Nina: It all depends. If my singing career is going well then I might be wherever my voice takes me. If not, then I will probably go back to Japan, my home country!

What kind of music, besides opera, is on your iPod?

Adam: Right now I'm listening to Ragtime by Ahrens and Flaherty. On my iPod I have some Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews, Audra McDonald, John Coltrane, Britney Spears, Counting Crows, David Archuleta, India Arie, Kelly Clarkson and about 100 others.

Nina: A lot of Jazz, Gospel, old school R&B, actually pretty much everything, but I don’t necessarily listen to it all.