Ten Questions with Anna Polum

Ten Questions With...

Anna Polum, soprano
Madison Opera Studio Artist






1.  Where were you born / raised? 
I was born in Everett, Washington, but grew up (since I was 1) on Kodiak Island, Alaska.

2.  If you weren't a singer, what profession would you be in?
I would be a speech therapist.

3.  The first opera I was ever in was...
Carmen.

4.  My favorite opera is...
La Bohème.

5.  My favorite pre/post-show meal is...
A big juicy burger after a show.

6.  People would be surprised to know that...
I love to fish!  I grew up fishing and being outside, and now I love to go whenever I can.

7.  A few of my favorite books are...
The Hobbit and anything that is a biography.

8.  If we were to turn on your music-listening device right now, what five artists/songs would we see on your recently-played list?   
Adele, Anna Netrebko, The Beatles, Blood, Sweat and Tears, and Buena Vista Social Club.

9.  What is the best costume you've ever worn?
The best costume I've ever worn was when I sang Countess Almaviva in UW-Madison's production of Le Nozze di Figaro.  The costume was a brilliant blue dress that was absolutely stunning and had a gorgeous train (although heavy).

10.  Everyone should go to the opera because....
...it's not all dark and dreary.  Opera gets a bad reputation for being depressing and boring, but there are a lot of times in opera or whole operas themselves that suggest differently.  If you familiarize yourself with opera like one does film, it's just as entertaining.

Don't miss the chance to see Anna all year long, on our mainstage and in our community.  Visit madisonopera.org for more information.

In the Park with Gary Thor Wedow

In the Park with...

Gary Thor Wedow
Conductor, Opera in the Park







1.  Where were you born / raised? 
LaPorte, Indiana.  I'm a native Hoosier, also attended Indiana University (go Big Red!)

2.  What is in your ideal picnic basket?
Fried chicken, potato salad (I'm a curious connoisseur of potato salads), pickles, pea salad, and some sort of cake (carrot???) for dessert.

3.  My most memorable moment performing outside was...
Difficult question to narrow down; several as I am a veteran of the Santa Fe Opera and also a former marching band member.  Perhaps the funniest was when the last act of The Rake's Progress needed to be delayed because a pair of amorous skunks had taken up residence in the last act set and wouldn't be dislodged; after much consultation and planning, there was a carefully directed flood of water at their hangout and they scurried away, disgruntled and definitely not fans of opera.

4.  My favorite outdoor performance I've attended was...
An Elektra at the Santa Fe Opera which took place in a lightning storm surrounding us as if planned by the gods.

5.  My favorite summertime activity is...
Hiking, walking, gardening, being lazy on a lake.

6.  My ideal vacation is....
I love "staycations" as I travel so much and I love being home in New York City, but also enjoy traveling.  I'm lucky in that often at the end of many of my gigs I can have a mini vacation to explore a new city or area.

Bonus:  One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).
Q:  How did you get the name Thor?
A:  My grandfather was Carl Thor, a proud Swede, and I inherited his name.  By trade a woolens designer and head weaver, he was always the first trumpet in the local city bands and came from a long line of musicians.  I'm very grateful to him and my family for their musical support.


Join Gary for Opera in the Park on Saturday, July 23 at 8pm in Garner Park.  FREE admission; visit madisonopera.org for more information.

In the Park with Sidney Outlaw

In the Park with...

Sidney Outlaw
Baritone, Opera in the Park







1.  Where were you born / raised? 
Brevard, in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina.

2.  What is in your ideal picnic basket?
I like food in general and I try to eat clean on a regular basis.  So my ideal basket would be any kind, as long as it had good food in it.

3.  My most memorable moment performing outside was...
A cabaret performance I did for Marilyn Horne at Music Academy of the West.

4.  My favorite outdoor performance I've attended was...
I saw Nabucco at L'Arena di Verona while competing in Placido Domingo's Operalia.

5.  My favorite summertime activity is...
Working out and doing Crossfit / Olympic weight lifting early in the morning.

6.  My ideal vacation is....
Going to Ibiza and hanging out for awhile.

Bonus:  One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).
Q:  What type of music do you listen to besides opera?
A:  Mainly R&B / hip-hop, but all kinds.  My favorite singer is Janelle Monae.


Join Sidney for Opera in the Park on Saturday, July 23 at 8pm in Garner Park.  FREE admission; visit madisonopera.org for more information.