Kristen Darragh

Kristen Darragh, a young singing talent whose international career is just taking off, has returned to NZ to perform as Zulma in the NBR New Zealand Opera’s production of The Italian Girl in Algiers.

The Auckland-born mezzo soprano says performing makes her feel ‘so alive... so present.' “It feels like all the work preceding comes to fruition in that moment... to be able to perform maximally and give it my all.”

Darragh answers The Big Idea community questions about discovering her dream to be an opera singer and her future ambitions, including acting and her ultimate opera role.

"I think I felt in my heart at that moment that my life's dream was to be an opera singer."

In 2008 Darragh became the fourth person to win a Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation grant which enabled her to attend the Summer Academy of the Solti Accademia di Bel Canto in Italy.  This year she is the NZ Opera’s PricewaterhouseCoopers Dame Malvina Major Young Artist for 2009.

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Late at night, between 10 pm and midnight. Journal writing time, this is when I get my best ideas and have the clearest perspective on things.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
“Very eclectic - you draw on many fashions depending on your mood and the context you are in. Always interesting with a strong dash of individualism. You don’t adhere to any one idea but blend to create your own style at that moment. A very modern woman, confidently so.”

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
It would have to be performing. It is in this moment that I feel so alive... so present. It feels like all the work preceding comes to fruition in that moment... to be able to perform maximally and give it my all. 

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
 I’m definitely a big picture girl. I have to consciously focus on details when necessary... but I essentially like to see things from a pretty wide perspective and from this expanded viewpoint the details seem to become more meaningful. 

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
Playing the title role in Britten’s Rape of Lucretia, when I was studying at the Royal Academy in London. Lucretia is an incredible role and the task of portraying this woman forced me to dig deep and bring all that I had to it. To work on a piece that has such depth, drama and beauty was a privilege and a gift.

Who or what has inspired you recently? 
A week or so ago I saw the film ‘The Reader’ with Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes. I was totally inspired afterwards. Not only by the fine acting, which I knew I would be, but by the impact great literature has on the human mind and soul. I met an old friend who is a writer/reader extraordinaire and asked her to come book shopping with me... I am now devouring Nabukov with Camus to follow.

What is the best way to listen to music and why?
The ideal is ‘live’. You can’t beat that... being present as it is created, in the moment, witness to the magic. When it is on recording... my favourite is listening to my ipod when I am on the move, be it on the tube, the plane or walking from A to B in London. The personal soundtrack to the movie of my life.

What is the best stress relief advice you’ve ever been given?
Be a princess. Pamper yourself. Curl up in bed and read a book. Treat yourself to a massage. It worked!

What’s great about today?
I am at home with my family, in beautiful NZ, my career is just beginning and there is so much to look forward to.

• The Big Idea Community Questions

Sometimes there is a moment in our lives where we know, or find a major influence towards, what we are going to be in our lives e.g. a song we hear, a tutor. Did this happen for you? 
 - Susan Hiha

Yes, I was 15 and I was given a video of Cecilia Bartoli's 'Live in Italy'  concert for Christmas. I remember being transfixed by her and moved to tears by the music.   I think I felt in my heart at that moment that my life's dream was to be an opera singer.

Would you ever consider taking up non singing acting roles in the future?  - Tony Richards

Definitely, in fact I really hope that opportunity comes my way. I would love to take a sideways step at some point in my career for a straight theatre part or a film. 

As a young person, was there a moment when you knew you wanted to sing opera, or was it just a series of events that led you there? - Maria

The moment as I described above of watching Cecilia's video at age 15 was like the seed being planted. Then there were definitely a series of events that followed that led me to seriously pursue it as a career. The big catalyst was being cast as Fyodor in Boris Godunov for NZ Opera when I was 23. It was such an incredible experience, and really from then on I have known that I will do whatever it takes to make this my life's work.

Which is your favourite opera, the one you see as ultimate to be a part of in your career, and why? - Julia Thorne

This is a tough question, but a good one! Because choosing one's favourite opera is virtually impossible... But my ultimate role however, is easy. Carmen. Not because I particularly love the opera, but because it has always been about her! I have always felt strongly that I want to play her... my voice seems built to sing it...it just feels right. These intuitive urges are usually based on something!!


Kristen Darragh bio

Auckland-born mezzo soprano Kristen Darragh recently graduated from the Royal Academy of Music Opera Course, where she studied with Joy Mammen and Audrey Hyland and was a recipient of the Kobler Award and a Karaviotis Scholar.

In 2008 she became the fourth person to win a Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation grant which enabled her to attend the Summer Academy of the Solti Accademia di Bel Canto in Italy.

Kristen was an Emerging Artist with The NBR New Zealand Opera in 2004, where she made her debut as Fyodor in Boris Godunov, and has returned as Giovanna (cover Maddalena) in Rigoletto and Siebel in Faust. Kristen’s UK operatic experience includes Florence Pike Albert Herring (British Youth Opera); The Musico Manon Lescaut (Opera Holland Park); Baba the Turk The Rake’s Progress (Dartington); Third Lady The Magic Flute  (Opera del Mar); Zita Gianni Schicchi (Opera Fringe Northern Ireland) and the Stewardess Flight (British Youth Opera). Roles for Royal Academy Opera include Cherubino Le Nozze di Figaro under the baton of Sir Colin Davis; Zita Gianni Schicchi, Masha Shostakovich’s Paradise Moscow and Lucretia The Rape of Lucretia. Opera scenes include Orlofsky Die Fledermaus, Erika Vanessa, Nancy Albert Herring, Cesare Giulio Cesare and Octavian Der Rosenkavalier. Her concert repertoire includes Handel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Beethoven’s Mass in C, Saint-Saens’ Reqiuem, Vivalidi’s Gloria and Mozart’s Requiem, the latter two performed at London’s St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Kristen holds a BA in English Literature from the University of Auckland and has experience in acting for both theatre and television. Last year she was a finalist in the Royal Overseas League Competition. This year she returns to The NBR New Zealand Opera to sing Zulma and cover Isabella in The Italian Girl in Algiers. She has also been chosen to be NZ Opera’s PricewaterhouseCoopers Dame Malvina Major Young Artist for 2009.

The Italian Girl in Algiers
Auckland – Aotea Centre, THE EDGE®
Thu 28, Sat 30 May, Thu 4 and Sat 6 June (7:30pm), Tue 2 June (6:30pm)
Bookings: The NBR NZ Opera Box Office, Tel (09) 379 4068 or (04) 499 8343, or: Auckland: The Edge Box office, Tel (09) 357 3355 or visit www.the-edge.co.nz