The up-and-coming British soprano Jane Burnell recently made her role debut as Countess Cortese in “Il Viaggio di Reims” at the Wexford Festival Opera. OperaWire was lucky to meet up with her for a quick interview to get to know more about her.

OperaWire: What was the first opera you went to see?

Jane Burrell: I was about 11 years old at the time. It was Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” at Glyndebourne.”

OW: Was it an experience that made you think of a career as an opera singer?

JB: Not really. That came a lot later. I must have been about 18 when I started to think of a career as a singer.

OW: What was the first solo role you performed as a professional singer?

JB: It was Gasparina in Haydn’s “La Canterina” at the Buxton Festival.

OW: Do you remember how you felt?

JB: I absolutely loved it. I thrived in the environment and really enjoyed playing a comedic role. It was a wonderful moment for me.

OW: Were you nervous?

JB: Yes, I was very nervous. I still get nervous.

OW: Do you have a routine that you go through before a performance to control your nerves?

JB: I deliberately don’t have a routine in case it is not possible to go through it; that would be much worse! I do make sure I know my first words because once I start to sing, I am alright. It seems to work well for me.  

OW: How would you describe your voice?

JB: Vibrant, bright, and expressive. At the moment, I sing a lot of Handel, Mozart, and Rossini. My voice is suited to the baroque.

OW: What book are you reading at the moment?

JB: I have just started a book by a friend of mine, Indiana Schneider, who is also a singer. It is called “Twenty Questions.”

OW: Where was your last holiday destination?

JB: Cephalonia. I love Greece.

OW: What do you like about Greece?

JB: The food is amazing. The sea is incredible. The people are very polite.

OW: Do you think the Greek gods actually existed?

JB: Yes, why not?

OW: Do you have a pet?

JB: Not at the moment, but my family has always had two cats. My favorite was one called Jasmine.

OW: What is your favorite food?  

JB: A good steak with chips. Nice and simple.

OW: Who is your favorite opera singer?

JB: Lisette Oropesa.

OW: You are playing Countess Cortese at this year’s festival in Rossini’s “Il Viaggio di Reims? Can you give me two adjectives to describe her character?

JB: Flamboyant and dramatic.

OW: What were the challenges in performing the role?

JB: It was a huge vocal challenge for me. The scene is very long. It is three arias squashed very close together, and the role sits a little higher than I am used to, and it needs a lot of stamina.

OW: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is being performed as a community opera. What role are you playing?

JB: Tytania

OW: Can you give me two adjectives to describe her character? 

JB: Ethereal and manipulative.

OW: It is being performed as a community opera. How does the experience differ from a standard professional performance? 

JB: It is a lovely experience. With all the pressures of rehearsing for the main stage performances, it feels very relaxing; I don’t feel much pressure at all. And I love working with the local community. I loved being able to chat with them when walking around the town.

OW: This is not your first time at the Wexford Festival. Last year, you sang Molly Allgood in Federico Caruso and Colm Toíbín’s opera “Lady Gregory in America.” How would you describe her character?

JB: She is naughty and cheeky. She is fully aware of the effects she has on people.

OW: It was a character with a comedic aspect. In fact, you often play comedic roles. Do you see yourself as a naturally funny person?

JB: I observe well and listen carefully to people. I think that I do have a good sense of humour, similar to my father’s, which helps us bond.

OW: What is your favourite film?

JB: “The Lord of the Rings.”

OW: Would you have liked to have lived in Tolkien’s world?

JB: No, it is too dangerous.

OW: What is your next role?

JB: Barbie in Elena Langer’s “To Die For” for Nederlandse Reisopera.

OW: What roles would you like to sing over the next few years?

JB: I would like to sing Mozart’s Susanna. Also Handel’s Cleopatra and Donizetti’s  Norina; really, I want to sing women with strong characters. ‘Damsels in distress’ are not for me at this moment in time. Later in my career, I would love to sing Massenet’s Manon. I don’t want to specialize in baroque necessarily, but it is music that resonates with me.