Diva’s zeal keeps Fresno on opera map
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 2:23Diva’s zeal keeps Fresno on opera map
Edna Garabedian, Fresno’s indefatigable and resourceful diva, has a way of making the longest of odds seem like no big deal.
“There are 6,000 opera singers to every one job,” she says matter-of-factly during a rehearsal break at her California Opera Association Arts and Education Festival, which continues through Aug. 2. When she speaks, her exquisite enunciation and breath control, honed after a life-long immersion in opera, give even a somber statement such as this a slightly cheery, musical lilt. “It’s a hard life. People make tremendous sacrifices.”
That’s one reason why 10 years ago Garabedian — who left Fresno decades ago at the age of 21 to make her New York City Opera debut and pursue an acclaimed career as an international opera singer — founded California Opera. With an emphasis on opera training and education, the nonprofit festival has grown into a robust operation that this year will bring together 75 singers, 25 faculty and staff and offer 10 public performances.
The idea, she says, is to go beyond the technique that universities and conservatories teach. She’s there to tell young singers what it really takes to succeed in the field: finding one’s niche in terms of roles; planning one’s career trajectory; making sometimes subtle tweaks in vocal control that can put an auditioner just a teensy bit ahead of the dozens of other accomplished singers trying for the same part.
“Within five to 10 minutes working with her, I had a changed voice,” says Samantha KnJoi, newly arrived in Fresno, who after attending last summer’s festival decided to move here from Alabama so she could take voice lessons with Garabedian. She’ll be portraying the title role in “Suor Angelica.” She studied music at the University of Alabama and Florida State University, but says after working with Garabedian that her voice is richer and bigger — as if it can “fly through the room” and fill it.
“I knew I had to come back,” she says.
Besides the students, the local community benefits from Garabedian’s seemingly boundless enthusiasm for opera. Students, faculty and community members perform several fully staged opera productions. This year’s highlights include “Shep the Musical” July 25 at the Fresno Art Museum, “Il Trovatore” July 26 at the Tower Theatre, “Sisters of Manzanar” July 31 at the Fresno Art Museum, and a double bill of “Suor Angelica” and “Pagliacci” Aug. 2 at Shaghoian Concert Hall on the Clovis North High School campus.
Garabedian hopes to increase awareness and appreciation for local opera. As a founder of what became Fresno Grand Opera, she parted ways with that company to take up her educational focus, but she remains a supporter. (“We hope to build the audience for Fresno Grand Opera,” she says.) What’s important to her in the summer is providing audiences for her beloved students — and encouraging locals to get their first taste of opera. “The community support has just been so heartwarming,” she says.
It’s a very warm Tuesday afternoon, but inside the Clovis North High School choir room — in which Garabedian has settled as a practice studio for the festival — the temperature is crisp and comfortable.
The principal cast of “Pagliacci” is rehearsing.
Stephanie Hower, who portrays the pivotal role of Nedda, is singing. It’s a point when her character is confused, lovestruck and trying to fend off a lover’s advances. After a few words, Garabedian stops her.
“Stephanie, you’ve got to throw your consonants way ahead,” she says. “You have to spit them out. You have to be angry.”
Source: fresnobee.com
