Papageno costume design rendering, by Christianne Myers.

Papageno costume design rendering, by Christianne Myers.

Name: Craig Verm,Baritone
Hometown: Houston, TX (but now, I’m a proud Pittsburgher)

Favorite opera:
Currently La Bohome

Least favorite opera:
Norma

I knew I wanted to sing opera when:
I was in church choir in 1st or 2nd grade and I decide to start singing “opera-style” for a few measures during a performance. I did it to be silly, but I actually thought it was pretty fun. I didn’t officially decide that I wanted to be an opera singer until I was in college, but I know that first “operatic” experience planted a seed….

Before performing:
I have a few rituals, actually. I text message or call my wife, say a prayer, and do a few push-ups to get the blood flowing and adrenaline going.

What I love about performing live is:
The “time warp” experience. I love how time either feels like it flies by or slows down, depending on the scene. After being on stage for 3 hours, it often feels like only 5 minutes have passed.

The best thing about opera is:
Its timelessness as an artform. Some people view opera as a “museum artform”,  but it is alive and well. I love talking to new opera-goers after a show and hearing how they were dragged to the opera, and were surprised to find they actually loved it. Opera is so unique in its ability to reach people in a variety of ways – drama, music, singing, dance, special effects, etc. There are definitely some operas that are best viewed by aficionados, and then there are operas like The Magic Flute that appeal to everyone and hopefully create an interest to go see more operas.

I would tell someone who’s never seen The Magic Flute:
It’s a show that appeals to all ages. It’s easy to follow, quick-paced, has a variety of whimsical characters, love stories, heroes and villains, and best of all, very recognizable music by one of the greatest composers of all time.

If I could have dinner with any composer, I would choose:
 George Butterworth. He was a British composer who died fighting in World War I. My wife and I adore his music, and we are intrigued and heartbroken by the ironies contained within his songs in relation to his untimely death during WWI. I would love to have seen what more his brilliant mind would have created if he hadn’t died so young. (But isn’t that true with so many other composers as well?!)

If The Magic Flute were made into a blockbuster film, Papageno would be played by:
Definitely JACK BLACK!!

On my iPod, you’ll find:
Quite a variety! I obviously have opera on there, but I also listen to a lot of different styles of music – nothing too heavy, nothing too light, and definitely no country or gangster rap. I also like listening to podcasts from NPR, Discovery Channel, Cycling News, and any sermons from my church I may have missed while out of town.

If I were tone deaf, I would have gone to work as:
A Mountaineering guide in Chamonix, France.

While I’m in Milwaukee:
I’ve been told I should go to a restaurant called The Safehouse. I’ve never been to Milwaukee, and I hear there are a lot of great microbrews!

Miss a Post? MEET THE REST OF THE MAGIC FLUTE CAST:
Getting to Know…Rodell Rosel (Monastatos)