Frederica von Stade with Jake Heggie at Classical Tahoe, Photo Credit: Ian Weiss

Legendary mezzo-soprano Frederica “Flicka” von Stade returned to the stage on July 30 and August 1 for Classical Tahoe’s adapted 2020 season to sing works by Offenbach, Mahler, and Heggie for an intimate 25-person audience. Classical Tahoe ensemble members include principal New York City Metropolitan Opera Orchestra musicians Nathan Hughes (oboe) and Milan Milisavljević (viola). Frederica von Stade joins Classical Post to discuss this moving experience, which young opera singers have the most star power, what she’s been watching on Netflix and more.

A Change of Speed

Classical Post: You said in your recent OperaWire interview that you’ve done very little these past few months, a sentiment that many of us can relate to. What was it like to transition from that speed to performing live at Classical Tahoe? Did you have to prepare vocally in a certain way?

Frederica von Stade: Most of what I have been lucky enough to do in the last weeks has been to see a great deal of opera and interviews and chats with lovely colleagues so I have been inspired to keep working and not give up. I’ve also been working with some students and am inspired by their energy and courage in this trying time. Yes, I did have to get the voice back in shape and worked a week or so to see if I could churn up a note or two!

A Moving Experience

CP: Was there a particular moment that stood out to you at your Classical Tahoe performances as being particularly moving?

Frederica von Stade: For me, the very first moments of the concert just brought tears to my eyes. It was watching the musicians work their magic and hearing these glorious sounds fill our ears and hearts with magic! Looking out at beautiful Lake Tahoe as you’re singing about love is very very special!

CP: Is there a role or opera that you’ve identified with or felt drawn to over these past few months?

Frederica von Stade: There isn’t a role that comes to mind except maybe the witch in “Hansel and Gretel” a few times when isolating became too much!

"Hansel and Gretel" (Frederica von Stade, Judith Blegen)

Advice to young artists

CP: What is your advice to young artists during this time?

Frederica von Stade: PLEASE, PLEASE, don’t give up. This will pass, even better, new avenues of expression will evolve and there will be more corners of the world that need our voices however we use them.

star power

CP: Which young opera singers do you feel have the star power to get the public excited about opera when live performances are permitted?

Frederica von Stade: Frankly, nearly all of them. We are in a golden age of singing with the voices of Joyce Didonato, Larry Browlee, J’nai Bridges, Anna Netrebko and on and on. They have magnificent voices and they are great singers and I am always just astonished at the wonderful young voices I hear in Master Classes and at the conservatory. Their voices will take us through this time.

CP: Are there any composers who you’ve collaborated with that you are still in touch with from time to time? If so, who?

Frederica von Stade: Indeed, I just sang with the amazing Jake Heggie in Tahoe. We both loved and admired Joel Revsen and wanted to add our voices to celebrate his gifts and talents in creating this wonderful festival. I’m so blown away by all that Jake does and love Lembit Beecher and Ricky Ian Gordon. We have great singers yet to hear and great composers as well.

CP: Do you see this moment as a permanent shift in the world of opera? What do you imagine the future of opera to look like?

Frederica von Stade: It will probably take time to get back to what opera looked like and I don’t know how this will happen. In the meantime, there are wonderful ideas and projects circulating that I think will take us in new directions. I think they will end up being additions rather than alternatives.

netflix binges

CP: As a final fun question, you mentioned recently that you’ve been watching a lot of Netflix. What have you been watching?

Frederica von Stade: I have been watching the Borgias, many, many seasons and I find it comforting to know that our troubles aren’t exclusive to this time!

Listen to Playlist (Frederica von Stade)

Frederica von Stade

(courtesy of her site)

Recognized as one of the most beloved musical figures of our time, Frederica von Stade has enriched the world of classical music for three decades with her appearances in opera, concert, and recital. The mezzo-soprano is well known to audiences around the world through her numerous featured appearances on television including several PBS specials and "Live from Lincoln Center" telecasts. She has made over sixty recordings with every major label, including complete operas, aria albums, symphonic works, solo recital programs, and popular crossover albums. Her recordings have garnered six Grammy nominations, two Grand Prix du Disc awards, the Deutsche Schallplattenpreis, Italy's Premio della Critica Discografica, and "Best of the Year" citations by Stereo Review and Opera News. Miss von Stade was awarded France's highest honor in the Arts when she was appointed as an officer of L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and in 1983 she was honored with an award given at The White House by President Reagan in recognition of her significant contribution to the arts.

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