Seattle Opera’s Taylor Raven on her role in 'The Barber of Seville'
Photos by Susan Fried
Joining Trae Holiday on this episode of "The Day With Trae" is the opera sensation Taylor Raven. Raven will soon be captivating audiences with her upcoming performance of the Seattle Opera's rendition of ‘The Barber of Seville,’ the timeless comic opera by Gioachino Rossini. In this segment, Taylor shares insights into her journey, from her early career beginnings to her experiences as a distinguished opera singer, and delves into her collaborations with the Seattle Opera.
Raven's singing career traces back to her upbringing in a profoundly musical environment fostered by her parents, both talented church worship leaders and vocalists. Spending countless hours immersed in her parents' rehearsals and joining them in singing at church, Raven's passion for music blossomed organically. It wasn't until later that she recognized the potential to turn her passion into a career.
"When I went to school and started thinking about what I wanted to do for a living, music was nowhere in the mix. I wanted to go into science or math. I was a math major for a little while," Raven said. "But there's this moment I can't explain where things shifted for me. I can't even really put my finger on the moment I decided, "I think I want to sing as a career."
Raven later auditioned for her school's music department, where she showcased her talent with a rendition of a Beatles song. Her audition proved successful, leading her to the guidance of Louise Toppin, her first vocal mentor. Under Toppin's mentorship, Raven's musical horizons expanded as she delved into the works of various Black composers, marking the beginning of her transition into opera.
"I've gotten to work with so many amazing artists and learn so much about myself and different people from all walks of life," Raven said. "I've been to so many cities and countries and [done] things I never would have done if it wasn't for opera. It's broadened my worldview and the way that I see the world."
These experiences include delving into historical performances and exploring operatic traditions from around the globe. One standout memory was Raven's introduction to Russian opera several summers ago, which opened her eyes to new artistic expressions. Now, Raven takes on the role of Rosina in ‘The Barber of Seville.’ As Rosina, she finds herself entangled in a whimsical plot alongside her lover, Count Almaviva. The Count aims to win her over with the help of the barber Figaro, as he must outwit her guardian, Dr. Bartolo, who has his own plans to marry her.
"It's all about timing. That's the hardest thing about comedy in any genre. It's all about timing and appearing spontaneous, even in a planned scenario of making the audience feel like you didn't plan, that it just happened," Raven said.
Continuing, Raven highlighted playing a character in a challenging situation while finding the story's humor.
"That's the cool thing about about comedic roles like this one. Even in the comedy, there is a lot of vulnerability and realness, too. I think it balances that out," Raven said. "This character that I'm playing, Rosina, [is] in a situation that feels like a prison to her, and she's stuck in this situation with this old grumpy man who wants to marry her for her money. It's not what she wants, and it's nothing really that funny, but there's all these things. I think comedy comes from really dark places. It's a really interesting journey, as a character going through something kind of horrific to find the fun in it."
Raven, who has already performed in different renditions of "The Barber of Seville" three times, shared with Holiday the collaborative essence of working on such a production, emphasizing that although the story remains unchanged, each experience is shaped by the contributions of her fellow performers.
" I've had so much fun with them, learning from them, hanging out with them; that's just a part of the job that's really cool and special," Raven said. "I respect what they bring to the stage and how open they are, and you will see that when you come to the show."
Reflecting on her collaboration with the Seattle Opera, Raven reminisced about her debut eight years ago in ‘As One,’ where she portrayed Hannah, a trans woman navigating life, alongside Jorell Williams in a dual role. For Raven, productions like these exemplify Seattle Opera's different approach to showcases and commitment to amplifying diverse narratives.
"I feel like I've just seen that kind of evolve throughout the years, and when I came back, it was even more ingrained into their message and mission, and you feel that. You feel welcomed, you feel accepted. You don't feel like you have to earn anything," Raven said of working with the opera house. "You're there, and they believe in your artistry, and you feel that right away, and you feel safe. I think that's something that makes Seattle opera special."
To witness Raven's performance as Rosina, secure tickets for ‘The Barber of Seville’ here. The production will be showcased at McCaw Hall from May 4th to May 19th.
To stay update on upcoming shows happening in Seattle, tune into Trae every weekday at 11 a.m. on all Converge Media platforms and The Day With Trae YouTube Channel.
