McPhee Voices: Stephanie Tritchew

Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Tritchew was onstage as a McPhee Artist in the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons, and her journey was positively operatic. She was among the Canadian premiere casts of Silent Night and The Dead City, and made a dramatic last-minute entrance in Carmen (more on that below); Stephanie returned to Calgary Opera as a McPhee alumna to sing Stephano in Romeo and Juliet (2018). In our interview celebrating 20 years of the McPhee Artist Development Program, Stephanie reflects on the growth, joy, and onstage moments that are truly unforgettable:

 What's a standout memory from your time as a McPhee Artist?

Stephanie Tritchew: "A big standout memory was jumping in for the 2015 production of Carmen. On opening night, our spectacular Carmen got sick and there was a midday panic to figure things out. There was no Carmen cover, but my emerging artist colleague knew the role of Carmen, having previously sung it before—the only issue was that she was singing Mercédès!

"I wasn't covering Mercédès, but I knew her part in the quintet and card trio from some emerging artist concerts we had done, so the company decided I would go on in the event our Carmen couldn't perform. I spent the day studying the rest of the music as much as I could, and I was picked up and brought to the theatre in time for the show to begin. When, after her first entrance, it became clear our Carmen couldn't continue the show, my colleague jumped in to sing Carmen from side-stage, and I jumped in to perform Mercédès onstage.

"I didn't know the role very well at all and hadn't been to any of the stagings, so it was pretty adrenaline-producing. I was trying to learn and memorize the scenes backstage when I wasn't on, and I really relied on my other McPhee Artist colleagues who played the other smugglers to make sure I was always where I was supposed to be! It went pretty well overall, but it was a very intense experience I'll never forget!"

What do you remember as the biggest learning curve as an emerging artist?

ST: "The biggest learning curve for me was understanding that just because a guest teacher or coach said something to me, didn't mean I had to apply it. I'm a real over-achiever and I found it difficult assimilating so many different opinions about my sound. We had so many guests working with us and sometimes I felt vocally confused because I would get opposing opinions and I was always trying to apply everything. It took me a while to develop some trust in my own somatic wisdom and realize that not everything I'm told is right for me."

What skills that you learned as a McPhee Artist have you taken with you into your professional life?

ST: "Basically everything I know about being in a professional production, I learned from my time as a McPhee Artist. Obviously, I came into my time there with some tools for preparing a score, learning my music — but everything I know about the rehearsal room, backstage and onstage, I learned from my time at Calgary Opera. This includes how to speak to and acknowledge stage management, backstage protocols, theatre traditions, proper etiquette, etc. 

"My time as a McPhee Artist equipped me to move more confidently through my first professional contracts."

Do you still sing professionally? If not, what are you up to now?

ST: "I do! I've been a bit MIA for the past season as I welcomed a baby last May and have been enjoying the last year home with her, but I am looking forward to getting back to it with a couple of things lined up for next season. When I'm not performing, I also teach."

What advice do you have for today's emerging artists?

ST: "I would encourage today's emerging artists to cultivate a beautiful and meaningful home life. The career can be fun, exciting and fulfilling, but a grounded and nourishing home life is what will sustain you."