Ten Questions with Thomas Forde

Thomas Forde, Bass
Zuniga - Carmen

1.  Where were you born? Where were you raised?

I was born and raised in Chicago, IL on the Northwest side of Chicago. My grandparents emigrated to this area from Ireland and a majority of my big Irish family still lives in the same neighborhood. 

2.  If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?

I would love to be in some sort of broadcasting. I love morning talk radio, so I think I would steer towards something on the radio side of things. I also love the anchorperson track for a career, so I would have explored broadcasting in another life. 

3.  The first opera I was ever in was…

The Tales of Hoffmann in college! 

4.  My favorite opera is…

I go back and forth on this one, but an expertly done "Eugene Onegin" is thrilling and heartbreaking. I love "The Crucible", as well, as the music is set perfectly to the text.

5.  My favorite food to cook or eat is…

I love eating pizza and hotdogs. I am a child when it comes to eating, apparently. I generally cook healthier when not eating those foods. (Cheese curds in Madison!) 

6.  People would be surprised to know… 

As another side of my professional performing work, I work as a professional actor in Chicago, recently appearing in NBC's "Chicago Fire", Showtime's "The Chi", and a commercial for the A+E network. I also do HR management for a company called Hotel Rehabs.

7.  If I could travel anywhere, real or fantasy, I would travel to…

My next travel goals include going to Ireland to explore my lineage. Harry Potter world was a very cool fantasy come to life! 

8.  I like to binge-watch…

30 Rock, The Office, Parks and Rec, Brooklyn 99, Friday Night Lights 

9.  What four people (living or deceased) would you like to invite for a dinner party?

Hillary Clinton, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and Joan Cusack (I think this would be quite the dinner). 

10.  Everyone should see Carmen because…. 

You'll know the tunes. There's a lot of action (think sword fights). The plot is easy to follow. It's a classic, but realistic.

11.  Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).

Q: What's your biggest pet peeve? 

A:When people talk loudly in the gym or use cell-phones to talk loudly on cardio equipment. There is nothing that drives me crazier than that!

Ten Questions with Erik Earl Larson

Erik Earl Larson, Baritone

Dancaïre - Carmen

1.  Where were you born? Where were you raised?

I was born in Madison, WI and raised in Evansville, WI.

2.  If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?

I probably would have gone to school for engineering - like my dad. But the older I get, the more I'm interested in law and social justice, so maybe that? 

3.  The first opera I was ever in was…

...the chorus in Madison Opera's The Flying Dutchman in Spring of 2010, my senior year of high school. I ended up doing five shows (I think) with the Madison Opera Chorus, ending my tenure with Dead Man Walking in Spring 2014 - which was also my professional debut as the Motorcycle Cop.

4.  My favorite opera...

...tends to change on a weekly basis, but The Marriage of Figaro is my proverbial ol' faithful. 

5.  My favorite food to cook or eat is…

...chicken fried rice (I'm not a talented cook).

6.  People would be surprised to know…

I have a long-standing tradition of getting pedicures with my sisters. My toes are usually painted a sensible red.

7.  If I could travel anywhere, real or fantasy…

I would most definitely travel to the Water Gardens of Dorne.

8.  I like to binge-watch…

My go-to binge watching show is The Office, but most recently I've been working through Sons of Anarchy.

9.  What four people (living or deceased) would you like to invite for a dinner party?

This depends on a lot of factors...am I cooking? Are we all cooking together? So many things to consider...BUT, if I had to choose...I would say George London, Carol Burnett (for comic relief), Rick Sanchez (for good spirits), and finally - the love of my life, Bridget. 

10.  Everyone should see Carmen because….

It is honestly one of few absolutely timeless masterpieces. With a beautiful drama displayed in so many - very human ways - it's a perfect example how opera can marry several arts into one union.

11.  Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer).

BONUS! WUBBA-LUBBA-DUB-DUB!!

"I don't understand the question, and I won't respond to it."

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Don't miss the chance to see Erik in Carmen, Bizet's breathtaking opera. Performances are November 3 & November 5 in Overture Hall.  Tickets start at $18; visit madisonopera.org for more information.

Ten Questions with Charles Eaton

Charles Eaton, Baritone

Moralès - Carmen

1.  Where were you born? Where were you raised?

I was born and raised in Storrs, CT.  It's the town that has the University of Connecticut, where my grandparents, parents, and all of my siblings (including myself!) went to college.

2.  If you weren’t a singer, what profession would you be in?

A dream job was always to be a veterinarian, but in retrospect, I'm not sure I'd have the nerves for it (too many sick pups).  

3.  The first opera I was ever in was…

I was an eager chorister in Die Fledermaus at the University of Connecticut, before I really knew what opera was all about.

4.  My favorite opera is…

I absolutely love The Crucible by Robert Ward.  I think the music and drama is spectacular.  The Marriage of Figaro is pretty high up on my list as well.

5.  My favorite food to cook or eat is…

I love all things coconut.  I will always choose coconut flavor over all others if given the option.

6.  People would be surprised to know… 

I lived with my parents for my last three years of college...the idea of taking out more loans to live in a dorm seemed silly, and my parents are pretty awesome :).

7.  If I could travel anywhere, real or fantasy, I would travel to…

Hobbiton.  Hands down.

8.  I like to binge-watch…

The Office is my go-to show when trying to fall asleep to something or pass time.  I think I've watched the whole series about 10 times through.

9.  What four people (living or deceased) would you like to invite for a dinner party?

It'd be incredible to meet the guy I'm named after, who died in World War II.  Other than that, maybe Mahler, my theory professor from grad school (Michael Cherlin, who loves Mahler and taught me so much about his music), and my childhood pup, Marley, who passed last year.  That'd be an interesting meet up...

10.  Everyone should see Carmen because…. 

It's such a fun, dramatic story with an awesome, powerful leading lady, and the music is some of the most recognizable and beautiful there is.

11.  Bonus: One question you wish someone would ask you (and the answer)?

Q: What would be your superpower if you could have just one?
A: Transfiguratiom, like McGonagall!

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Don't miss the chance to see Charles in Carmen, Bizet's breathtaking opera. Performances are November 3 & November 5 in Overture Hall.  Tickets start at $18; visit madisonopera.org for more information.