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Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Samson and Delilah 101: Q&A with Rafael Davila


Headshot of a man with dark hair wearing a purple shirt and black suit

Meet tenor Rafael Davila, making his position debut as our main man in Samson and Delilah. He has carried out all all over the world and returns to Opera Colorado for the primary time since Tocsa (Cavaradossi) in 2021. For his efficiency in Tosca, audiences shared, “My favourite half was the tenor, Davila; he was superb” and “Rafael Davila was excellent for this half and gave an excellent efficiency. I hope you convey this glorious performer again for one more engagement.”

Earlier than you see Rafael Davila dwell in Samson and Delilah, study extra about his profession as an opera singer.

See Rafael Davila in his position debut as Samson from Might 4-12 on the Ellie Caulkins Opera Home>>

How did you become involved in opera?

A woman in a blue dress holds hands with a man in a painting smock
Rafael Davila as Cavaradossi in Opera Colorado’s 2021 manufacturing of Tosca
Picture: Opera Colorado/Matt Staver

After I was 14, I began singing in choirs, even throughout my undergraduate years as a biology main. Then, whereas doing my doctorate in optometry, I used to be known as to sing within the opera refrain and that’s once I was found. I instantly enrolled on the Puerto Rico Music Conservatory and later accomplished a grasp’s diploma in opera efficiency on the College of Texas at Austin. I’ve been continuously performing all over the world since.

What’s particular about debuting the position of Samson for you?

Samson has all the time been a kind of roles on my bucket listing. I’m so grateful to Opera Colorado for giving me the chance to lastly sing it for the primary time. At this stage in my life, I feel Samson is among the excellent roles to be performing for the remainder of my profession. It appears like the right match for my expertise and my vocal and dramatic capabilities.

How do you put together for a task debut versus a extra acquainted position?

A man with a black hat and green overcoat stands with a woman in a black dress to his left and a man in a blue and gold coat on his right.
Rafael Davila in Nabucco on the MET

Each time there’s a literary supply on which the opera is predicated, I attempt to learn it first to assist me perceive the character. On this case, the supply is the Bible. We may in all probability take into account Samson to be the primary superhero the occidental world is aware of. For a task I’m singing for the primary time, I’ve to spend extra time studying the music, becoming it to my voice, and, lastly, memorizing it.

I began this season by singing performances of Verdi’s Nabucco in addition to Bizet’s Carmen on the Metropolitan Opera of New York. Whereas I used to be in New York, I used to be in a position to apply this position with a number of the finest coaches within the enterprise. I continued to do that work remotely whereas I used to be rehearsing Luisa Miller for Sarasota Opera in Florida. For a task I’ve sung earlier than, it often takes me from one to a few weeks to place it again in voice and reminiscence. Naturally, the extra I’ve carried out a task, the much less time it takes me to revise it, and vice versa.

What’s your favourite a part of the rehearsal course of?

A woman in a red dress holds hands with a man in a navy cloak
Rafael Davila in Luisa Miller with Sarasota Opera

I get pleasure from the entire rehearsal course of which supplies us the arrogance to be relaxed onstage, turn into the character, and provides our greatest efficiency. My favourite half is after we get into costume which helps us rework into the character. I additionally benefit from the second after we hear the orchestra for the primary time and take heed to all of the completely different colours of the devices. We simply attempt to experience on high of that huge texture of sound whereas attempting to mix with it.

You had been final with us for Tosca within the fall of 2021. What has been your favourite mission since then?

A man wearing all black holds a woman in a red dress
Rafael Davila as Don José in Carmen with Ópera Puero Rico on the Cassals Competition

After Tosca in 2021, I reprised the position for Opera Memphis together with Maestro Ari Pelto as soon as extra. For me, it was a beautiful alternative to repeat the position we did for the primary time collectively in Denver for a distinct viewers.

For the previous 5 seasons, I’ve been a part of the Metropolitan Opera of New York roster. I loved singing the main tenor roles in Carmen (Don José), Medea (Giasone), Aida (Radames), Nabucco (Ismaele), and the title position in Verdi’s Don Carlo for a complete of 9 performances. In the meantime, I’ve additionally been in a position so as to add to my repertoire the main tenor roles of Verdi’s operas Ernani and Luisa Miller at Sarasota Opera in Florida, in addition to Carmen (Don José) for the celebrated Cassals Competition again house in Puerto Rico.

What do you want about Colorado? What is going to you do in your free time whereas in Denver?

A woman with curly hair points to the crowd while standing in front of a music stand
Assistant Conductor and Refrain Grasp Sahar Nouri in rehearsals for Samson and Delilah

I like the corporate, the viewers, and the town. Because the first time I labored at Opera Colorado, I may really feel how a lot Denver’s viewers helps this firm. It’s a pleasure to sing on the Ellie Caulkins Opera Home. I haven’t seen extra comfy dressing rooms in every other theater all over the world.

Final time I used to be in Denver, I had the pleasure to satisfy Ellie Caulkins and he or she has adopted my profession since then by means of the media. I’m wanting ahead to returning and spending a while along with her, in addition to with my expensive buddies within the firm–the Ellie Caulkins Basic & Inventive Director Greg Carpenter, Maestro Ari Pelto, and Assistant Conductor and Refrain Grasp Sahar Nouri.

Throughout my free time, I wish to discover a metropolis and its historical past. Denver has a variety of that to supply. I’ve particularly loved driving as much as the mountains. I’m wanting ahead to exploring them once more however this time within the spring season since I used to be final in Colorado within the fall for Tosca.

Get a preview of Rafael’s voice as he breaks down “E lucevan le stelle” from Tosca>>

Expertise Samson and Delilah dwell on the Ellie Caulkins Opera Home from Might 4-12. Get tickets in the present day>>

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