Get to know the cast of Magic & Mayhem!
Tara Gruszkiewicz, mezzo-soprano, will be performing Condotto ell'era in ceppi from Verdi's Il Trovatore, Der Doppelganger by Schubert, and a scene from Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.
Tell us about what you are singing in Magic & Mayhem.
Condotto ell'era in ceppi from Il Trovatore: a heart-warming tale: I decide to steal and burn a baby. I become overwhelmed and confused and instead throw my own child into the flames. Just good old fashioned family fun.
Der doppelganger: This was one of the first lieder I ever studied in school. Schubert's tonal decisions create an uneasy atmosphere. The poem is about your mind playing tricks on you, and I think that psychological turmoil can be quite spooky.
Why do you think it is important that this music be heard?
Der doppelganger is typically sung by a male voice, so I think it will be exciting to hear a female take.
Describe your dream role.
Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar or Jean Valjean in Les Mis. Perhaps gender-blind casting will become a thing.
If you were not an artist, what would your dream job be?
World traveling cheese critic.
Tell us something unusual or bizarre about your hometown.
There's a haunted graveyard in my hometown of Naugatuck, CT called the Gunntown Cemetery, est. 1790. The gravestones are really old and the place is creepy and overgrown. People claim to have heard children's laughter and music closing in on them while visiting. People also claim to see orbs, mis, and phantom dogs hanging around. Pretty cool.
What’s on your schedule after Magic and Mayhem?
Chamber music for Christmas with the City Concert Society, and Euridice with Cantanti Project.
What's one song on your playlist you can't help but dance to?
"Yes sir, I can boogie" by Baccara. Disco one hit wonder that I just discovered. Symphonic pop disco is my jam.
Please visit Tara's website at www.taragruszkiewicz.com