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| We open our 2025/26 season with Gilbert and Sullivan’s nautical farce, The Pirates of Penzance. Soprano Vanessa Becerra is singing the position of Mabel and is making her Seattle Opera debut. Photograph © Andrew Morstein |
Soprano Vanessa Becerra is keen to make her Seattle Opera debut in The Pirates of Penzance within the coming months. She’s equally desirous to sing the a part of Mabel for the primary time…nicely, kind of. On this dialog, Vanessa clears the air about this position debut, talks about her childhood quest for pop stardom, and explains her need to sing Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro. And also you’ll have the chance to listen to Vanessa once more this season; she’s additionally showing in Fellow Vacationers in 2026.
Seattle Opera: When did you turn out to be desirous about music?
Vanessa Becerra: In fourth and fifth grade I used to be hooked on pop music—Selena, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, and Spice Women. I listened to the radio on a regular basis and dreamed of being a pop star! I beloved the concept of singing, however I did not know go about being a pop star. I imagined offered out live shows and listening to my voice on the radio! My mother—my poor mother—simply needed to hearken to me sing pop tunes all day. Then she discovered an afterschool kids’s choir for me. The choir was a gap for me.
Seattle Opera: Your number of roles is vast—from one finish of the opera spectrum to the opposite. Why the variability?
Vanessa Becerra: My repertoire displays that I like all kinds of opera. However there’s nothing like singing a giant French opera like Romeo and Juliet. It’s simply so luscious, very grand, and exquisite. I actually like bel canto. My instrument (voice) does that nicely. My favourite roles are those the place I get to be foolish, play pranks, and discover alternatives to be human.
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| Though unlikely to occur, Soprano Vanessa Becerra desires of performing in Faust as Mephistopheles. Seen right here is Greer Grimsley because the Satan in Seattle Opera’s 1998 manufacturing of Faust. Photograph © Gary Smith |
Seattle Opera: Whereas we’re on topic of roles, which of them are in your bucket record to sing?
Vanessa Becerra: I haven’t considered this in so lengthy, however I’ve a number of. The truth that I’ll most likely not get to sing a few of these elements is one thing to contemplate, however these roles are undoubtedly on my record. Anne Trulove from The Rake’s Progress is one. Then all 4 heroines in The Tales of Hoffman. That might be actually cool. One other is Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos. This subsequent one could be out of the query: what about Mephistopheles from Faust? He is so evil. My all-time dream position is Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro. Loopy, proper? Sure. I like Susanna, however I’m obsessive about the play that the opera is predicated on. Figaro, the character, is my favourite opera character. Singing Figaro is primary on the record.
Seattle Opera: The Pirates of Penzance is produced by neighborhood theatres, youth performers, schools departments {and professional} corporations. Have you ever carried out Pirates earlier than?
Vanessa Becerra: The reply is sure and no.
Seattle Opera: Oh, clarify.
Vanessa Becerra: Sure, as knowledgeable that is position a debut. However in highschool, my senior 12 months, I sang Mabel. I nonetheless have the rating from that efficiency. It has my notations from once I was 18 years outdated.
Seattle Opera: In what methods are you approaching the position in a different way from whenever you had been in highschool?
Vanessa Becerra: In highschool, I used to be primarily involved with getting all the things proper, ensuring I did not make any errors. I do not assume I understood simply how enjoyable and playful Gilbert and Sullivan’s repertoire is. This time, I’m actually excited to sink my enamel into the silliness of all of it. It is so foolish! And I like being humorous. Comedy is tough. It is laborious to make folks chortle. I am having enjoyable on the lookout for the little jokes and humorous moments which are on this present. This solid is nice. It’s going to be foolish, foolish, foolish.
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| Love Island, the truth present, is certainly one of Vanessa Becerra’s responsible pleasures. Photograph © Peacock |
Seattle Opera: What are you at the moment binge-watching?
Vanessa Becerra: Oh my gosh, there’s a lot TV on the market. Okay. Nicely, it will be sort of dated, however I watched all of Love Island when that was on. I actually appreciated Your Associates and Neighbors on Apple TV, after which I believe I would restart The Studio.
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| Coco is Vanessa Becerra’s four-legged companion. Sadly, Coco will not be touring to Seattle with Vanessa this fall. Photograph © Vanessa Becerra |
Seattle Opera: What’s the one merchandise that you simply love taking with you on the highway?
Vanessa Becerra: If I may, I might deliver Coco, my canine. I want I may deliver her with me to Seattle. However I must drive. She’s a giant canine. I’m going to overlook her. However I at all times pack my yoga mat.
The Pirates of Penzance is on stage October 18–November 1, 2025 at McCaw Corridor. Be taught extra and purchase tickets at seattleopera.org/pirates.
