Jadd Davis Interview
Jadd Davis Interview
Q: What do you find most excites you while working in a co-production with the Spokane Symphony?
Jadd Davis: I love it when organizations collaborate. They’ re able to view their goal through different lenses and bring the opportunity for a new influx of ideas. The sum of our collaboration allows us to bring an extraordinary experience to our opera audience. Eckart is a brilliant musical mind, but also quite savvy to the theatre of opera. With my background being so theatrical, I find it awesome to be able to connect with someone whose expertise helps strengthen mine. Additionally, as I get older, I really only want to work with people who are kind and enjoyable to be around. The culture both at Opera CDA and what I’ ve experienced working with Eckart has been inclusive and kind, while fighting for the best possible artistic goals. I think this will be a super collaboration.
Q: I understand Carmen is a timeless opera for the novice opera audience?
Jadd Davis: Carmen is a masterpiece on a number of levels. For the sophisticate, Bizet’ s use of thematic music and character development is virtually unsurpassed in the art form. For the novice, it’ s a damn good story with memorable tunes— there’ s sex— there’ s violence— there’ s some good comedy. There’ s really everything that makes a story tick and it’ s handled in such a fashion that it checks all the boxes for the opera buff as well.
Jadd Davis Director of Carmen for Opera Coeur d’ Alene
Q: What advice do you offer to those new to opera, who plan to attend?
Jadd Davis: I would offer the same advice for new attendees as well as buffs: come with an open heart and an open mind. Opera, at its peak, is the most sensational theatre around. The less we expect the more we are able to be carried away.
Q: Are there any moments in Carmen, created by Bizet, that the audience should be watching for?
Jadd Davis: Listen to the music that accompanies each character. Don José has dense, often brooding themes associated with his character. Carmen’ s themes are sensual and mellifluous. Escamillo’ s are triumphant and masculine. This is part of the way we get to know these characters. Also listen for how these themes are adapted and molded throughout the opera to achieve different effect.
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