High Notes & Hot Takes: Spotlight on Claudia Boyle & Seán Boylan

Describe your job, or your character in this production, but make it sound illegal. 

Claudia Boyle: 
In the upcoming Gala for INO I'll be shape shifting into various iconic opera roles, disguising myself as love-stricken heroines, hopefully stealing some hearts, breaking others and hitting the 'heist' notes. 

Seán Boylan: 
I’d describe it as a covert operation: infiltrating hearts and minds through the power of live performance and the unamplified human voice. Our enterprise combines music, drama, visual art, movement, design, and storytelling, often communicating in languages you may not speak but cannot help understanding. We work with a highly trained team, follow coded gestures from a person in formalwear—often equipped with a comically long, pointy stick—and perform for anything from 40 people to 4,000, projecting over live instruments without amplification. Our repertoire spans more than 400 years, providing an unusually extensive body of research-and-development material for the enterprise. Officially, this is called opera. 

What’s your “high note” - the moment you’re most excited for audiences to experience? 

Claudia Boyle: 
There's a full range of beautiful repertoire in this concert and also a full range of opera talent. I can't wait to hear the next generation of opera singers perform from INO's young artist programme. 

Seán Boylan: 
Claudia and I have some very special duets, and I can’t wait for the audience to experience them with an orchestra! 

What’s one thing audiences would never guess about the rehearsal process for an opera / a concert? 

Claudia Boyle: 
A lot goes on behind the scenes in preparation for a concert and I love every second of the process. Firstly, getting the pieces together with an orchestra. How the singer, conductor and orchestra connect with each other and become homogenous. Then going into deeper detail exploring the style, dynamic range and tempi . Also crucial in the rehearsal process is the balance. That the singer and orchestra complement each other rather than compete. 

Seán Boylan: 
We often only have one or two rehearsals before a concert, and then we do it! For opera, lots of people come together to make the show, and singers have to quickly negotiate and implement the input of many collaborators - the director; conductor; stage management; rehearsal pianist; language coach; movement coach; intimacy and fight director; colleagues; company management. 

What is one moment in the concert that will look/sound effortless but is actually really difficult? 

Claudia Boyle: 
Once all the preparation is done I think it should be effortless or at least appear that way! My experience is that when you enjoy the performance yourself, that comes across. But you're always on high alert. Listening to the orchestra, staying connected with the conductor all while telling a story and engaging with the audience under hot lights! Multi-tasking is a big part of it- all in a days work for opera mums! 

Seán Boylan: 
My aria from Romeo & Juliet is very detailed and flies along! Tricky for singer and orchestra! 

What’s one tiny detail in the music, staging or text that you wish everyone would notice? 

Claudia Boyle: 
There isn't any one particular detail. I just want the audience to be moved in some way and to be glad they came. It's time, effort and money to go to the opera and with two young children myself now, I appreciate that. 

Seán Boylan: 
Attention to detail in languages. There will be at least 5 languages sung in this concert. 

What is the most misunderstood thing about your voice type, instrument or job? 

Claudia Boyle: 
I love this career. But it's definitely a lifestyle as well as a job. It's hard to separate the two. There's travel and time away, a lot of practice and preparation and looking after your vocal health. As with so many professions, most people only see the finished project. Like the Sunday roast, lots of prep and then it's devoured in ten minutes! 

Seán Boylan: 
Most people underestimate the challenges of singing for a living; how much time opera singers spend doing daily private study and practise. Frequently this has to happen before, during or after a long day of rehearsal or travel for a completely different project. Not to mention finding somewhere creative to warm-up before an audition or rehearsal day. 

Do you have a pre-show ritual, lucky charm or something you always do before going on stage? 

Claudia Boyle: 
Hydrating throughout the day is a must, but that would be most days. A little light exercise to wake up the body but not too taxing as to save for the evening. I usually do a run of personal notes I have from the score during the afternoon along with a lyrics run-through. Then an energy rich meal at about 4pm and then I like to be in the theatre about 2 hours before start time. My miraculous medal owned by Maria Callas gifted by the Callas estate comes to all my shows. 

Seán Boylan: 
Before going on stage I try to find a quiet space to read through the music, have some time to myself and right before going on I remind myself to ‘tell the story.’ 

What is the last thing you think about before stepping on stage, and the first thing you think about when the curtain falls or the concert ends? 

Claudia Boyle: 
When I step out I'm completely focused but also excited. When the curtain falls, I feel complete gratitude. 

Seán Boylan: 
Before going on, I visualise where I am going and look out for trip hazards! Small changes or markings on the floor can have been added since the rehearsal. At the end I try to find the quickest and most polite way to see who I need to, change, and eat! 

For someone who is curious but unsure about coming, what would you say to them? 

Claudia Boyle: 
Refer to question 2! Galas are a terrific way to try out opera or classical music. They are the best bits from so many operas by different composers so there's a great range of repertoire. Add to that, a range of great performers, so there'll definitely be something for everyone. 

Seán Boylan: 
Come for pure escape and a shared live experience of wonderful Irish talent.