BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
The Merry Widow will hit Brisbane this month, and will surely please those seeking a musical fix of Parisian style and comedy. The Opera Queensland production boasts glittering parties, ballroom gowns, salons and cabarets – and, of course, romance.
It also boasts a fine cast including a number of young artists – one of which is Jessica Low.
Jessica, 30, is an award-winning mezzo-soprano who has graduated from the University of Southern Queensland, the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, and studied Italian at the University of Queensland Institute of Modern Languages. She’s performed leading roles with opera companies since 2015, and here she tells us about her time with Opera Queensland ahead of her performance in The Merry Widow.
She is one of the youngest stars of the show.
Hi Jessica, lovely to chat with you! How’d you get into singing with Opera Queensland?
Thank you, it’s my pleasure! I’ve been singing with Opera Queensland since 2014. The first opera I was involved in was La Boheme, for which I was a member of the chorus. Now, I do a combination of things for Opera Queensland: I sing in the chorus, I work as a facilitator for Opera Queensland’s Open Stage workshops, I perform at corporate events, and also perform a few roles here and there.
So what’s been your favourite show to perform so far?
I absolutely loved The Perfect American by Philip Glass – it combined my two loves: opera and Disney! Another highlight for me was performing roles in The Bulimba Opera and Orpheus and Eurydice which we did in collaboration with Blue Roo Theatre Company, a company for artists with a disability. I was amazed at everyone’s professionalism and enthusiasm throughout the rehearsal process and the performances.
Let’s get down to business. What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing young opera singers today?
There are so many challenges to creating a career in the arts. I think that the biggest challenge for young opera singers today is to ensure that we will have future audiences. I feel that the best way to do this is by engaging people who perhaps haven’t had anything to do with opera previously, and also by introducing opera to children.
As a young artist, how do you support your dream?
When I’m not performing, I teach singing, which I am just as passionate about. I was so fortunate to have so many excellent music teachers in my life when I was growing up, and I try to show my students the same joy and dedication that my teachers showed me.
What opportunities has Opera Queensland given you as a young artist?
I’ve been so fortunate to have so many varied opportunities with Opera Queensland. One of the things that I value the most is being in the rehearsal room and watching incredible Australian and international artists at work; there is always so much more to learn.
Last year, I performed at GOMA as part of Sensory, which was a curated program of song and opera paired with the art works. It was such a different performance experience because there was no set, no costumes, no stage – just our voices. I hope we connected with some new fans of opera that evening.
How do you feel emerging singers should prepare for a life in the world of opera?
It can be very competitive; in particular for female singers, just because there are more of us. My advice is to aim to become a well-rounded performer. Develop your language skills and movement/acting skills alongside your voice. Also, remember that everyone defines their own personal success differently, so don’t feel pressured to do the same thing as the other singers around you.
You’ll be performing The Merry Widow this month. Tell us what this show means to you and why you love it.
Yes, it’s such a thrill to perform in this iconic operetta! Michael Scott-Mitchell (set design) and Jennifer Irwin (costume design) have created such a sumptuous looking production of art deco glamour. To top it off, we have the legendary Graeme Murphy as the director and choreographer; so it honestly doesn’t get any better than that. And, last but not least, the music is absolutely stunning.
This production had rave reviews in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, so it’s really exciting to bring it to Brisbane audiences.
What do you hope to take away from your experience presenting this show with the Opera Queensland team?
I hope to improve my waltzing! Also, this show has a line up of incredibly talented performers – so I look forward to working with and learning from my colleagues.
Join Jessica and Opera Queensland for The Merry Widow from 22-30 June at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC.
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