Anna Dowsley has established herself as one of the most exciting mezzo-sopranos to emerge from Australia in recent years. She has performed many leading roles with Opera Australia, has sung with major Australian orchestras and festivals around the country and in recent years has relocated to Germany to embark upon her European career. After singing Dorabella in the Opera Queensland season of Così fan tutte, she is excited to debut in the same role with State Opera South Australia.
What can you tell people about this production after performing it with Opera Queensland last year? How did the audience react to it?
It is a highly entertaining, modern production, set in current day Southern Italy. Our Opera Queensland cast and team likened it to The White Lotus in both aesthetic and plot line… we all started binging the show and pointing out similarities! The audiences seemed to have just as much fun as the cast on the stage, I hope it’s something we can experience again in Adelaide 🙂
What did you enjoy about it as a performer?
Performing Così fan tutte is always an extra collaborative experience musically. What can set it apart from other operas (at least in my Mezzo Soprano repertoire) are the many intricate Mozart ensembles throughout the piece (duets, trios, quartets…) making this is a particularly satisfying opera to perform.
This production has me singing one of my arias in the fountain pool, which was a first for me. Everything but my head goes under… Thankfully, the water is heated nicely!
What do you like most about your character?
Dorabella is fun, frisky and completely free which as a performer is incredibly addictive to play! Her mantra would be to live life to the fullest – which means she’s a constant rollercoaster of emotions. For Dorabella, everything is larger than life and heart on sleeve.
How do you feel about your company debut with State Opera South Australia?
I’ve only performed in Adelaide a handful of times, but I love South Australia and cherish wonderful memories from my travels there. I can’t wait to meet my fellow cast members and to spend time exploring the city outside of rehearsals… any tips?
