Kimberly McCord

Soprano Kimberly McCord is delighted to be performing her sixth role with Haymarket Opera. Previous roles include Purcell’s Dido, Juno/La Calisto, Costanza/L’isola disabitata, Dircée/Ariane et Bachus and Margery/Dragon of Wantley. Other local baroque appearances have included the title roles of Handel’s Semele and Rodelinda as well as Cleopatra/Giulio Cesare in the Handel Week Festival and Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and Handel’s Dixit Dominus with Music of the Baroque. Kimberly has appeared at the Peninsula Music Festival in Verdi’s Requiem, Barber’s Knoxville, Summer of 1915 and as Donna Anna in Mozart’s Don Giovanni. She originated the role of the German diplomat in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s, Bel canto, based on the novel by Ann Patchett and available for streaming on PBS’s Great Performances. Highlights of her many European appearances include Medée/Lully’s Thesée on tour with William Christie, Dido with the Gabrieli Consort, and Créuse/Charpentier’s Medée at the Dartington Festival. She has recorded Bach’s Magnificat and Easter Oratorio with the Gabrieli Consort, Paul McCreesh conducting.

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What is the story of how you first came to love music and opera?

I don’t remember a time when I didn’t sing, but opera came a bit later, in high school.  I don’t cry easily, especially not back then, but my mom caught me watching the end of The Marriage of Figaro on “Great Performances” on PBS with tears in my eyes. I’d never seen an opera before, living in rural Missouri.  I was hooked by the emotional power of it.

What is the biggest challenge you face as an artist?

Figuring out what I need to do to bridge the gap between the score and the audience.

Do you have a favorite performer?

I love performers who take risks and give their all to the audience, like Anna Netrebko and Joyce di Donato.

Do you have a favorite role? Aria? Opera?

Few roles show as many facets of a single woman as Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare (Handel).  My favorite opera is Don Giovanni.

What are you reading?

I’m buried in several gardening books at the moment.

Who are your favorite 17th and 18th century composers?

Monteverdi, Purcell, Bach, Handel and Mozart.  The usual suspects, I suppose.

If you were stranded on a desert island, is there one piece of music you would like to have with you?

Bach Mass in B Minor.

What do you love about HOC?

I love the full on, total commitment HOC brings to their productions.  They believe that early opera has something to offer modern people.  By remaining faithful to the original concept, they allow the operas to speak directly to audiences.  

Do you have a favorite memory from a past HOC event?

There were several moments in the rehearsal process for the Haydn that my colleagues had me so tickled I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to remain in character.  

What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not making music?

Home renovation.  I’m just starting to up my game by getting into woodworking. 

What is the first thing you think about in the morning?

Wouldn’t you like to know!

Do you have any heroes/heroines? 

My heroes are people who have been dealt a difficult hand in life yet still manage to have generosity for others.

What music do you listen to most often?

Birdsong

If you had not entered into your current career what do you think you would have done instead?

Surgeon.