Donor Spotlight Roula Drossis & Mark Roberts How did you discover the art of opera? Roula: “Through my father who was a fan of classical music, and of Bizet’s Carmen in particular. I also spent 15 years studying piano and learned more about opera through music history classes, then eventually started attending live opera at the Opéra de Montréal.” Mark: “Also through my father, via his vinyl records of Wagner’s Ring cycle in Sir Georg Solti’s rendition. I was predisposed to enjoy opera because of my prior interest in orchestral music, but my appreciation deepened by attending Met performances during my graduate school years in the US.’’
What’s your best memory in an opera theater? Roula: “A very memorable presentation of Aida at the Met – I was very impressed by the staging and live horses.” Mark: “Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, as presented by the Met in 1994, featuring soprano Maria Ewing as the protagonist. I’m a great fan of Shostakovich in general.” Roula Drossis & Mark Roberts
An opera artist or voice of the past or present that you are crazy about? Roula and Mark: “Bryn Terfel! For his versatility and range, but especially for the way he engages the audience and draws them into the story and the character.” Mark: “Also Ben Heppner, for the power of his voice and his ability to channel a character. I have a notable memory of his voice in Peter Grimes, with the Vancouver Opera in 1995.”
Your favorite composer or opera? Roula: “Still in the process of learning and getting acquainted with the repertoire.” Mark: “Wagner, particularly his Ring cycle (the power of the music and of the leitmotiv structure). Also, Puccini, especially Turandot.
Why do you think it is important to support your local Opera company? Roula: “Arts and cultural institutions are essential to society as a whole. It’s important to support upcoming talent and the educational opportunities that enhance one’s appreciation of the art form, such as community outreach programs and open rehearsals.” Mark: “Any world-class city needs an opera company; the all-encompassing nature of the art form and its ability to explore the human condition and generate empathy should be considered a social good.”
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