Vancouver Opera Die Fledermaus Reviews

Salutations from Vancouver!

I have been thoroughly enjoying my time here, as well as working with Vancouver Opera. I have to say the winter is most definitely more tolerable here. Ten Degrees and sunny in February works well for me!

As for the show, it has been so wonderful working with these world class colleagues and singing at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.  The music is just so joyous, and so fun to sing! 

There have been a few reviews out, and I wanted to share some of their comments with you!

"..The part of her savvy, cynical maid Adele gives Suzanne Rigden (another new face) a chance to play the perfect high-voice ingenue."David Gordon Duke from The Vancouver Sun
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Opera+review+Fledermaus+evokes+mystique+Vienna/10852858/story.html#ixzz3TRRCO6qC

"My outstanding pick of the night has to be Suzanne Rigden’s Adele, who was not only a fine singer, but flirtatious and very funny with a great sense of comedic timing. She stole the stage." - Cathy Browne from Vancity Buzz

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2015/03/die-fledermaus-frothy-fun-fabulous/

"Soprano Suzanne Rigden, in her VO debut as Adele, possesses a lithe and delicate coloratura, and an impish coquettishness."- Jessica Werb from The Georgia Straight

https://www.straight.com/arts/401466/die-fledermaus-positively-effervescent-production

"Suzanne Rigden as Adele, captured everyone’s heart within the first few seconds; her operatic laughter, squeals, and giggles could be understood in any language. Her role did much to keep the laughs rolling throughout the evening." - Boating Vancouver

https://boatingvancouver.wordpress.com

"Playing the part of Adele, her chambermaid, the Canadian soprano Suzanne Rigden received kudos from the audience for her effervescent approach and her strong and confident singing of the most striking coloratura parts." -Carlos Javier López from Opera World

http://www.operaworld.es/en/fledermaus-vancouver

Below is a picture of Act I taken by Tim Matheson: 

Best wishes for 2015!

Dear Blog world,

I am deeply sorry for taking so much time in between posts. When life happens, sometimes you need to just get up from the computer and enjoy it! There have been some really great things happening in the past little while. 2015 is turning out to be a pretty exciting year, and it has only just begun. Resolutions are of course important, but I just am trying to constantly find the best I can give and be the best person I can be. I learned a lot last year through running and singing. If I were to sum it up:

1. If you put in the time and effort, you will see the results. 
2. Be kind to yourself. Love yourself more than someone else can love you, then you won't need someone else. (Not that its bad- just that you will enjoy it more when you aren't asking constantly for their affection)
3. Focus on the positive and you can move mountains.

So far here is how 2015 is shaping up:

I started the year on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with my special someone... ;)

Then shortly after, I took the First Place, Artist Division, in the National Opera Association Voice Competition, winning the Todd Duncan Legacy Award in Greensboro, North Carolina.

In a week or so I head back to Vancouver for the first time in almost six years. (Crazy!) I am so excited to get back to the West, run outdoors in the winter, do yoga, eat cheap sushi, see friends and most importantly sing Adele with Vancouver Opera. When I finally get to do what I love the most and what I sacrifice so much for, it makes it all seem worth it. 

After Vancouver I will head back to Montreal for a few days and then head to China for a fourteen city/ fourteen concert tour with some great friends. We will be there for Three weeks touring all over the place! I can't wait to head back. I haven't been there since 2008.

Next up is a trip back to the Maritimes in April/May to be a part of training and outreach for the Lunenburg Academy of Music Program, where they bring in different conductors and coaches from Italy to work on Rossini. They have a partnership in Italy. I am looking forward to returning home to see my family as well as work on some great repertoire. 

In May-June I will be home in Montreal finally to check in on the cat etc. I will be very happy to get back home after about three months living out of a suitcase. Then I will head south a few hours to Tanglewood to be a part of the 2015 summer festival. I will spend two months in Lenox, MA. 

So far, its looking pretty fun for 2015! I have a lot of music to learn and a lot of traveling to do. 

Please check back in! I will be periodically blogging and keeping everyone up to date on my experiences. You can also follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/serigden

Feel free also to check out my website: www.suzannerigden.com
I have new pictures, videos and music to hear!

Keep moving; It's cold out there!

Suz

New Headshots and Montreal

Good evening!!

Wow, it has definitely been too long since I have updated. It is October 9th and I have had a whirl wind of a trip in Europe and have now officially settled back into "everyday life." 

I ran my first half Marathon in August of this year (It was pretty tough as I was jet lagged and dehydrated... but I completed it in 1:54, which is not too bad). I will be competing my second one on November 2nd. It turns out I really love having goals and I think that running has sort of saved my career in a strange way. It has given me back a confidence that apparently I was missing. I think everyday is a goal attained in my running life, and it directly translates into my singing. I will never stop running now. Its just such a great meditation for me and on top of it, it helps me with my breathing. 

Below are some new headshots. What do you think?

I will write more later. 

Bisous from Montréal.

xx Suzanne

Three languages, Three different Cultures and one confused Coloratura!

Good evening from Verona!

Its been quite a ride here during the last month. I can't believe I have survived the past six months.

I feel like I am non-stop learning music (which is a joy, and a thrill) but on top of that traveling around to see the world.

Am I complaining? Not really. Am I bragging? Not trying to- but I realize that I am lucky to be where I am. Don't get me wrong, I do sacrifice a lot to be able to do this, but I am trying hard to appreciate every moment. (Even the bad ones, because lets be honest... there are bad ones too!)

So I did a similar trip to this five years ago. Wow. Time flies fast. Anyway, and I am very happy to confess that this time I feel much more like a "seasoned traveler." By that I mean that I am fluent now in French (which helps immensely with other languages!) and made it out of Barcelona with my bag!! Yay! It doesn't mean though that I don't make mistakes. I have a pretty good sense of direction, but when someone tells you in another language- go fifty meters, turn left at the pharmacy, go another fifty meters and its in front of the church... sometimes you get lost.

I will say, having spent a lot of time alone in the past month, I miss speaking in English. I miss the feeling of being completely understood and understand every nuance. I got to meet up with a close friend for three days and I was so overwhelmed that I could speak quickly, that I think I chatted her ear off! It was really nice, but now that she is gone, I miss having someone. Again, I am not complaining, but it was nice to have someone around that you knew and had a history with.

All that to be said, I am loving the new friends that I am making, trying new foods, and learning more about the languages I sing in. I love the cultural exchanges. I find myself having more in depth conversations with people in Italian than I ever thought was possible. My Spanish needs some work, but I will definitely be working on that!

Most memorable moments so far....

1. Singing for Natalie Dessay and Michel Plasson
2. Running on the beach in Barcelona
3. Eating my heart out in Irun, Spain
4. Watching the world cup in Madrid, with two Belgians, A Mexican, and two Koreans at an Irish Pub
5. Having the best meal of my life in Verona

Oh- did I mention? I am also training for a half marathon while here in Europe. I started back when I was in Vermont to train for it. Its been great because it allows me to eat what I want, and keeps me in shape, all while having a goal!

Eyes on the Prize!

Have a great evening.

Vermont, Italian Girl and bug bites!

Good morning from Salisbury, VT!

I am happily waking up at a Lake House here in Vermont. The scenery is beautiful, the people are lovely and there is only one thing that I can complain about.... THE BUGS!

Some of you know that I attract bugs wherever I go, well here, there is no exception. I spent one glorious day out on the water and enjoying every aspect of being in the wilderness, and I am desperately paying for it.  Its okay though. It was 100% worth it!

I also am really enjoying covering Elvira in Italian Girl in Algiers- here at Opera Company of Middlebury. The production team, board of directors and artistic team are so accommodating, kind and professional. On top of that they really hand picked a magnificent cast, who really meld and work together as a super team. Not only are they amazing and supportive, but they are incredible performing actors. I find myself laughing at a new joke each time I see the show.

This morning the covers are coming over for breakfast and we are running through our blocking- and this is on a show day. I love dedicated artists!

I am just full of love and bug bites here in Vermont.

I am so thankful today to be able to have such a fulfilling career.

Have a lovely Sunday, wherever you are!

Three Operas in Six weeks... and a new agency!

Good evening bloggers of the world!

So since Zerbinetta at POV I got to spend a few months back at home in Montreal where I taught, auditioned and flitted around a bit. My cat La reine was just warming back up to me when I left again.... oops!

So, I have some wonderful news! I am very pleased to announce that I have have joined the Dean Artists Agency.  (They are working on a new website, so I am not on their yet, but it is official!) Here is the website for your reference! http://deanartists.com/index.php

As for Three Operas in six weeks: (May 10-June 21)
Zerlina in Don Giovanni with Opera Nova Scotia
Elvira (cover- and a performance) in L'Italiana in Algeri with Opera Company of Middlebury (My American Debut!)
Adele in Die Fledermaus with Maritime Concert Opera

I am sitting here with Mozart staging buzzing in my head while I work on my Italian Girl in Algiers. I am trying to stay as focused as possible. This includes eating properly, exercise, and sleeping well.

Thoughts on the new headshot?

Good night world.

Role Debut: Zerbinetta! My dream role!

Good evening from Victoria, BC!

I can't believe that A. I haven't written in a very long time and B. Ariadne auf Naxos opens tomorrow night here at Pacific Opera Victoria.

It has been a treat to work with such amazing artists here. I am so honoured to have shared fun little moments with each one of the cast members, and for that I am ever grateful.

Zerbinetta is such a fun role. Words can't describe it, so check out this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSU0yE59RQM

Toi toi toi to all of my colleagues for tomorrow night! Lets Strauss it up!

Suz