Norwich opera singer takes on lead role in American opera
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Besides both of their names beginning with the same letter, there is a second similarity between Norwich resident Victoria Gydov and the character she portrays in the American opera Vanessa.
Gydov, a professionally trained opera singer from Denmark, portrays a baroness, believed also to be Danish, who lives in a northern and very chilly European country.
Her next performance as Vanessa in the Samuel Barber opera is on Friday, Aug. 8, at the Robert Gill Theatre in Toronto.
"It's a great powerful story with funny moments and lighter moments, and very intense, passionate and exciting music," Gydov said. "It has very, very challenging and beautiful music."
Vanessa, performed with the Summer Opera Lyric Theatre, is the dramatic and poignant story of an ill-fated love affair involving a father and son, both named Anatol, a baroness, her mother and her niece.
"I'm extremely grateful to stage director Guillermo Silva-Marin," Gydov said. "He has focused on working with young artists and performers, and allowing them to develop the characters and allowing them a fun, creative reign."
The plot intensifies after Vanessa’s former flame, Anatol, leaves, and Vanessa, afraid of losing her beauty, covers up all the mirrors in her home until he returns years later.
Afraid of his reaction, she refuses to reveal her face to him until he confirms his love for her. When he does, and she sees his face, she doesn't recognize the man because he is actually Anatol's son.
What happens next shows that passion, intensity and sadness can be cyclical and haunting in nature.
The opera, which takes place in 1905, was first performed in 1958 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
Gydov, originally born in Copenhagen, Denmark, emigrated to the U.S. in 1982. She returned to her homeland for formal opera training after completing high school and then returned to the U.S. in 1999. She has lived in Norwich since 2012.
Gydov is also currently working on releasing a solo album and will also be performing at a holiday concert at the La Salette Historic Church in La Salette on Dec. 7.
— with files from Tara Bowie