A hop, skip and jump... on stilettos!

Soprano Lorina Gore on her Despina debut

Lorina Gore as the Fairy Queen in A Midsummer Night's Dream 2010

Allerta: You’ll be making your role debut as Despina in OA’s revival of Mozart’s Così fan tutte next month in Sydney. What are the challenges of the role?

Lorina Gore: I'm really looking forward to singing Despina, she's a brilliant character and lots of fun. She and Don Alfonso are the instigators of all the trickery between the lovers, and in this production by Jim Sharman, domestic service is not the only profession people pay her for! There is one scene in fact that involves some dancing in five- inch stilettos. Fortunately we all have our shoes to practise with in rehearsal, so we can get used to them.

What do you enjoy most about singing this role?

Operas like Così fan tutte are the perfect marriage of a good drama with beautiful music. But it can be a challenge to sing Mozart's music well, as the voice is very exposed within the texture of the music and there's often a huge vocal range required. Despina is great though, as her music is always sprightly and there's a sense of mischief which has been well captured in the English translation we're singing. It's great when you have a role to which you can bring a part of your own personality, and Despina is certainly a character with whom I'm having a lot of fun. 

In Melbourne this Autumn, you’ll be reprising an old favourite: the Queen of the Night in OA’s fabulous staging of the Met’s production of The Magic Flute. Few arias could be as terrifying as the Queen’s second one. How does one psych oneself up for such a walk on a tightrope?

The last time I sang this role for OA I'd just had a child - in fact I started performing it only six weeks after the birth of my son. It was the first time I'd sung the role, and it was certainly a challenge to get those top Fs whilst suffering from sleep deprivation! I think it's always much easier reprising a role as you know how to pace the music and can build on what you've learnt from the previous time. There is a lot of pressure with this role as it's technically very demanding and it's challenging to find the dramatic intensity needed in the vocal characterisation without damaging the voice. Many a singer has come to grief over this role, so it's really important to have the confidence to know the notes and technique are there and just go for it. And if you manage to succeed, it's a huge thrill for both the audience and the singer alike.

Lorina Gore as Fiakermilli in
Arabella 2008

In this production, the Queen sings the aria in a fantastically dramatic setting, clothed in a fabulous floating white gown. To what extent are you influenced by the particular production in which you find yourself?

I think effective costuming certainly assists with character development and makes you more confident about your performance. The main thing though is comfort as you don't want to be worrying about the fit of your costume when you're attempting vocal gymnastics! Fortunately we have an amazing team in the wardrobe department at OA, who have created these costumes from scratch, and they are custom-fitted to each singer. I believe there are five singers performing this role this year, so they have a lot of work on their hands!

After a stint in the UK, you’ve been back home in Australia for a few years now. How has that worked out for you? Do you plan to expand your overseas career in future?

I loved my four years in London, and Europe has a wonderful musical culture that is very satisfying for performers. I'm happy being based in Australia at the moment though, as it's a very easy place to live and the climate is more pleasant. I feel really fortunate to be able to work here in my home country, and for the time being there are enough projects here to keep me busy. No doubt I'll still travel to the UK from time to time, and who knows what the future holds? As a performer you need to be flexible as you never know where the next job is coming from. Fortunately I have a great husband who is very supportive and puts up with my itinerant career! 

Lorina Gore as Honey B in Bliss 2010

Do you think it’s more difficult for an opera singer to combine motherhood with a career than for other working women, or is it just difficult in a different way?

I think the hardest thing about being a singer with a family is the amount of travel required. I'm really lucky that my husband looks after our son full time; this has given us the flexibility to stay together as a family when I'm working. The amount of luggage we have to pack now has doubled though, as we like to bring lots of toys and books for our son, and we always pack our favourite kitchen things and other such comforts so that we can really feel at home wherever we are. I am lucky though that I do still get to spend a lot of time with my son when I'm not rehearsing or performing. So ultimately I have the best of both worlds.