Opera Is For Everyone

by Madeline Darigan '22, Staff Writer

​Grand theaters, melodramatic sopranos, horned Viking helmets, and audiences as ancient as the art itself are the eternal archetypes of opera. Here in Southern Maine, young artists cast off this reputation and are bringing a new voice to classical performance.
For Portland-based soprano and voice teacher Shaunna Lucas, this means creating her own opportunities.

 
 One of the ways Lucas has been involved in opera’s 21st-century Renaissance is by introducing the music to unexpected places - bringing classical performances to restaurants, bars, and casual public settings. To her, it’s all about engaging the community and singers in the area.
These events are run through the nation-wide program Opera On Tap’s Maine chapter, which was founded by Lucas along with her fellow soprano Mary Johnston Letellier. The coterie welcomes classical vocalists looking for fun performance opportunities and regularly partners with local businesses such as Sur Lie restaurant.  Her goal for modern opera holds true - uniting audiences young and old.

​In addition to an extensive performing career with Opera on Tap, Biddeford City Theater, Opera Maine, Lyric Music Theater and many other companies, vocal professor Mary Johnston Letellier currently teaches around 45 students ranging from middle schoolers to adult professionals through studios at the University of Southern Maine, 317 Main, and her personal MJL Voice Studio.
 
She has been the first to introduce classical singing to many of her students and is never short of recommendations for someone interested.

​Cecilia Guerra, a homeschooling senior and student of Letellier, started taking voice lessons with musical theater in mind, but found herself drawn to operatic voice.
 
“With classical music I could be challenged in a whole new way,” she said.
 
Although she struggled with finding relatability in opera, after seeing live classic productions like Mozart’s The Magic Flute with Opera Maine and Verdi’s La Traviata at the Metropolitan Opera, she was shocked.

“I find it really relevant today as musical theater is relevant… It’s telling a story. Regardless of when it was made, we can look at the most ancient stories and plays… and find value in it and find how it pertains to modern day,” Guerra said.
 
Guerra currently serves as co-coordinator of Opera Maine’s Teen program, which aims to educate and provide opportunities for teens interested in a music career or who want to learn more about opera. She intends to pursue a vocal performance degree in college.

​Letellier acknowledged how the language barrier and dated character stereotypes often present are reasons people have often found difficulty connecting to opera.
 
She cited how the various languages each have their distinct style of opera while English never fully developed. Instead, English-speakers orchestrated another genre entirely - musical theater.
 
“At its core it’s storytelling in just such a beautiful and artistic way...Opera, I feel, provides the opportunity to share emotion beyond words,” Guerra said.
 
Letellier shares Guerra’s passion for traditional operatic works, and has also welcomed modern modern productions with open arms. Along with new music comes more contemporary themes and greater representation in opera. She hopes it opens a door to more diverse audiences - common people, not the aristocratic reputation that has been made.
 
For all these artists, one phrase resounded: “Opera is for everyone.”