BEN SIEVERDING

Re-U SPOTLIGHT

MOMENT AT THE MET - Q&A WITH BEN SIEVERDING

Moving from Minnesota to New York to pursue a dream of singing opera might sound like the plot to a movie, but it’s a dream turned reality for ‘05 graduate Ben Sieverding. This spring Ben, vocally a Bass singing the lowest of all voices, will join the cast as a member of the pit singers in Hamlet at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, the largest classical music organization in North America. To reach this level, Ben has put in years of rehearsals, training and performances with the Minnesota Opera (since 2015) and debuted with the Tulsa Opera and Omaha Symphony in 2021. He attended South Dakota State University where he studied voice before earning his Master of Music from the University of Michigan. Ben’s dedication to his dream of Opera performances continued as he completed his degree in Specialist in Music-Vocal Performance in 2013. On May 13, Hamlet opened but Ben had some time between rehearsals to talk with us about his Moment at the Met.

How did you come to choose a career in opera?

I always enjoyed my time in choir, band and theater at O’Gorman. Opera is the perfect place to combine all the skills I’ve learned in both my ensemble and solo performance experience. The arts tend to have a strong sense of community and the opera industry is no different. I was lucky to have teachers and mentors who encouraged and supported me along the way, gently nudging me in the direction of opera.

What has been your favorite character to play?

“Peter Quince” in A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a stand out. He’s constantly trying to organize the other Rustics in an attempt at efficiency… something I often identify with during the rehearsal process. Perhaps a more iconic role was getting to portray “The Statue of the Commendatore” who drags the main character to his doom in Don Giovanni.

Don Giovanni, University of Alabama Opera Theatre

Where are some of the most interesting places opera has taken you?

I’ve been very fortunate to travel extensively for work. Some of my favorites have included California, New Mexico, Colorado and Montana. Earlier in my training, I spent a summer performing in the Dordogne region of France.

Ariadne auf Naxos, Minnesota Opera - Photo by Dan Norman

What was the process like to try out for the Metropolitan Opera?

My management arranged an audition for me in December 2018. After some general positive feedback, we didn’t hear any updates from the company until the offer came in July 2021 to make my debut in this production of Brett Dean’s Hamlet.

How is this opera different from other operas you’ve performed in?

For starters, I am part of an octet of singers down in the orchestra pit (for most of the show). Our singing functions as sound effect and emotional emphasis throughout the piece, just like any other instrument of the orchestra. We do make our way to the stage to join the rest of the cast for the final scene. The orchestration for this piece includes prerecorded audio cues, plastic bottles, logs, and even stones. The composer leaves the audience with no choice but to be immersed in the sonic atmosphere of Hamlet’s psychotic state.

What has it been like living in New York temporarily?

There’s always something to do or go see… if I’m not completely exhausted from rehearsal. After we begin performances on May 13, I should have more time to sightsee. Being away from my wife, my dog and my bed for eleven weeks is certainly a challenge.

Any message for future Knights who might be looking at a career in music?

I want as many people as possible who enjoy music and performing to stick with it throughout their lives in some capacity. A career in the performing arts definitely has its challenges and demands, but there’s nothing else I’d rather be pursuing. I’m incredibly grateful for the overwhelming sense of belonging and community I’ve found in the arts at O’Gorman and beyond. Don’t apologize for wanting to use the gifts you’ve been given! Our Creator has given us creative abilities for good reason.

If you’d like to catch Ben’s performance, Hamlet will be in movie theaters nationwide on June 8th for one day only! You can search “Metropolitan Opera: Hamlet” to find tickets near you. Congratulations on all your success Ben!

USO Show: Minnesota Opera