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Arts & Entertainment

Verismo Opera's La Quaif Performs in China

Evelyn La Quaif of the Fort Lee-based New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera discusses her recent trip to China.

Performers know they must be ready at a moment’s notice to present anywhere and at any time. For Evelyn La Quaif, General Manager of Fort Lee’s New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera, that meant learning quickly some basic Chinese and flying to China to teach and perform at the Beijing Contemporary Music Academy for a week.

La Quaif, a soprano, who has taught master classes in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australia, explained that her hosts wanted a well-rounded performer, not just an opera singer. 

“My in-depth knowledge and experience in rock, pop, jazz and Broadway was the reason I was asked to participate," she said. "They wanted someone who has sung in all those fields but uses operatic technique -- belly breathing with rib support. They are very much pacticers of the old technique of breathing and didn't want someone who is a chest breather and/or sings in ‘smile’ position.  They are purists when it comes to that."

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While in Beijing, La Quaif taught a symposium covering breathing techniques, voice production, auditions and the importance of good acting and dancing skills. 

“I began the master class section of the day working with about six students, all of whom were incredibly talented," she said. "I demonstrated the diverse voices that can be created in different registers and their particular uses to the Broadway/pop style.  My focus was geared toward the composers, choreographers and singers in the audience."

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La Quaif's students, ranging in age from 13 to their early 20s, were very eager to learn. 

“Everyone at the Academy, around 800 students or so, wants a career in either dance, song, as a musician or any combination thereof," La Quaif said. "They all work on their English. They sing their Broadway stuff in English and do all the dialogue in Chinese. They took me to see Rent, and it was fascinating and inspiring, They are all very, very dedicated and work extremely hard at their craft."

Learning and speaking some Chinese made a difference for La Quaif, who speaks several languages. 

“This trip was very last minute for me, so I only had a week to cram as much Chinese into my head as possible," she said. "When I began my symposium, I was greeted with polite applause. When I began to speak to them in Chinese, the place literally erupted; they were shocked. I had a number of Chinese students here at home who hammered the correct words and pronunciation into me."

La Quaif added, “My sponsor told me the president of the school was shocked at how good my Chinese was and that I was the only invited guest who even made an attempt to speak their language. I was thrilled and humbled … These little acts of respect are very important to them, and my efforts did not go unnoticed.”

And La Quaif's performance was also well received. 

“I ended my demonstration period with the quasi-operatic song Love Is Where You Find It, which is both a difficult piece to play, as well as sing," she said. "They gave me a standing ovation.”

La Quaif enjoyed her visit very much, calling Beijing "an incredible city."

"They have a beautiful subway system; everything is so clean," she said. "The people are even nicer -- 20 million of them. Unfortunately, the pollution is pretty bad. They are working on it, but many people wear masks when out in the city."

In 2012, La Quaif hopes to return to Beijing and the Academy and continue teaching and performing. 

“I have been asked back by the powers that be," she said. "They are now trying to get me back for at least a month. Obviously, I plan on learning a lot more Chinese, so I can be an even better communicator."

La Quaif said her hosts would have liked to have her back during March/April or September/October, but she can't make it then because she is directing two opera productions – Il Trovatore on April 22 and Madama Butterfly in October at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) in Englewood.  

But, she said, "They are making every effort to keep the students around in June and July and get me there then. I can't wait to return."

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