Soprano Kim Sheehan, described by Opera Now as “sporting a super voice and blissfully funny acting skills” has sung many of the roles in the coloratura repertoire in Germany, Switzerland, the UK and her home country of Ireland. She has worked with such established companies as the Royal Opera House, Zürich Opera House, Opera North, Grange Park Opera, Garsington Festival Opera, NI Opera and Wexford Festival.
We chatted to her about her upcoming role in ‘The Human Voice’ in the Opera Theatre Company double bill coming to The Civic.
What was your first job out of college, and how did you land it?
My first official paid opera role was Adina in L’elisir D’amore at Wexford Festival Opera. I landed it by going to a general audition organised by the DIT in Dublin.
What was the first Opera production that you went to see?
La Traviata at the Cork Opera House. It was a visiting Russian company. I was 17 and I bought the ticket myself and went on my own. I was very passionate about singing at the time and wanted to know what opera was like as I hadn’t experienced much of it growing up. I never thought I’d be an opera singer at this time.
How old were you when you took your first singing class? Who introduced you to it? Did you immediately feel passionate about it?
I was 9 or 10. I had gone for piano lessons but that didn’t work out for me so the music teacher said she’d teach me singing. I felt immediately passionate, at home and comfortable. I had singing lessons on and off until I decided to sing full time.
At what age did you realise singing/opera was what you wanted to do with your life? Was it a slow progression or can you recall a particular moment?
I had gone to college to study languages in Dublin and I felt I was in the wrong place. I felt a calling to sing. I gave up my course after the first year and then sought out how to get into a music college and get my degree in music performance.
Where do you see yourself five years from now? Any major goals you’re still working towards in your career?
I see myself singing some fabulous music both on the concert platform and the opera stage. I’d like to get my DMA in Music and I would like to teach a little more as I find it very rewarding.
What can audiences expect from the upcoming Opera Theatre Company productions?
They can expect to be moved from laughter to tears.
And finally, what was the last TV show you binge-watched? How many episodes did you see in a sitting?
The big bang theory – I was recently at home studying music for hours and I needed a release from it all, so I sat and watched about 5 episodes in one sitting. It is a very cleverly written sitcom and really makes me laugh.
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Susanna’s Secret & The Human Voice comes to at The Civic on Thursday 12th November 2016. Tickets are €25 & €22 concession and are on sale from our box office – 01 4627477 or online here.
