Opera singer Benjamin Taylor<\/a> (\u201914,\u201916)<\/strong> is a resident artist at the Pittsburgh Opera<\/a>, where he most recently played Prince Yamadori in Madama Butterfly<\/a><\/em>; in 2019, he\u2019ll be onstage as Schaunard in La boh\u00e8me<\/a><\/em>. New York Classical Review<\/em> has called him \u201can immensely powerful baritone.\u201d<\/p>\n Here’s how he answered CFA<\/em>\u2019s quick-fire questions:<\/p>\n First moment you realized you could really sing<\/strong> Last song you sang in the car<\/strong> \u201cI played in a rock and metal band in high school.\u201d<\/p>\n Benjamin Taylor (\u201914,\u201916)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Mozart or Led Zep?<\/strong> First time you sang solo for an audience<\/strong> Strangest warm-up\/cool-down routine<\/strong> Greatest strength as a performer<\/strong> Greatest flaw as a performer<\/strong> Greatest career achievement<\/strong> Most embarrassing bum note<\/strong> Aria you love singing <\/strong> Aria you dread singing<\/strong> Role you\u2019d love to do<\/strong> If you hadn\u2019t been a singer, you would have. . . <\/strong> Your retirement plan<\/strong> Usual reaction when you tell people your job<\/strong> Advice for wannabe opera singers<\/strong>
\nElementary school. PE and chorus were the same period, but you had to take a test to get into choir. I got a perfect score on it; I saw that I could match pitch.<\/p>\n
\nBlinded by the Light<\/a><\/em> by Manfred Mann\u2019s Earth Band. Right now, I\u2019ve been listening to a lot of classic rock.<\/p>\n\n
\nIt has to be Mozart<\/a>. He\u2019s the original rock star.<\/p>\n
\nEnter Sandman<\/a><\/em> by Metallica. I played in a rock and metal band in high school.<\/p>\n
\nI have a coconut ginger candy before I sing.<\/p>\n
\nMy flexibility with other castmates; I want to make everyone look as great as possible.<\/p>\n
\nI\u2019m a nervous wreck 98 percent of the time. I just embrace it; I use that energy to make something out of it.<\/p>\n
\nIn February, I won the George London Award<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nI did this audition and it still haunts me. I was starting with a Russian piece and I didn\u2019t remember any of the words, so I just did lip trills for 30 seconds. I stopped and I restarted\u2014and I did the same thing. I said, \u201cThank you,\u201d and walked off.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cSilvio\u2019s Aria\u201d from Pagliacci<\/a><\/em>; it\u2019s a very romantic and dramatic piece.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cLargo\u201d from Barber of Seville<\/a><\/em>. That piece is so tough, but so rewarding when you do it.<\/p>\n
\nFigaro in Barber of Seville<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\nHad a little skateboard shop.<\/p>\n
\nOwning a truffle farm.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cOh, I love Phantom of the Opera<\/a><\/em>.\u201d I have to tell them it\u2019s a musical. Or, \u201cThat\u2019s awesome; sing something.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nLearn a language: Italian, French, or German. Languages are the most important thing.<\/p>\n