Offstage with Rafael Davila This month, we talk to talented Puerto Rican tenor Rafael Davila who will be singing the role of Radames in Aida. Mr. Davila regularly performs across the U.S. and has sung with such companies as Palm Beach Opera, Washington National Opera, Sarasota Opera, National Lyric Opera of New York, and Lyric Opera of Kansas. He has also appeared internationally with such companies as Opera de Puerto Rico, New Zealand Opera, Teatro San Carlo (Naples), and the Reisoper (Amsterdam). Aida will be Mr. Davila s Manitoba Opera debut. 1. Who was your favourite pop star growing up? Olivia Newton-John. After Grease, I had a crush on her and bought all her recordings. 2. What is your favourite children s book? I remember my mom reading passages of El Cid before I went to bed. I hope I can sing that opera someday. 3. What would I find in your refrigerator right now? Orange juice is always a must; it s my favourite beverage. 4. If you could be a superhero, what would you want your super powers to be? To fly. 5. Which celebrity would you like to have dinner with? A Canadian - David Foster - my favorite popular music composer, arranger, and producer. 6. What is the oldest item that you own? An old manual Nikon camera 7. What s the scariest thing you ve ever done? When I was a reckless teenager, I would drive at night with the lights off on a curvy mountain where I lived, while putting my legs over the window, with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the pedals. 8. What movie would you take with you to a desert island? Any 007 movie, I am a big fan and have the whole collection.
9. What advice would you give to your younger self? Trust you heart. 10. If you could live the life of any of the characters you ve played onstage, who would it be? Probably the Duke of Mantua. He has a good position, money, women, and never suffers, or at least only for a short period of time until he realizes the woman he is longing for is within his reach in the castle. 11. What is your favourite song to sing on karaoke night? A good one for tenors, The Eye of the Tiger. 12. What would be on the menu of your last meal? My favorite meal - chicken stew with white rice - very popular back home. 13. What s the name of the last book that you recommended to someone? The Four Voices of Men by Jerome Hines 14. What is your most prized possession? My LPs, tapes and CDs collection; more than 35 years in the making. 15. Describe your perfect day. Cooking a BBQ with family and friends.
Offstage with Rafael Davila This month, we talk to talented Puerto Rican tenor Rafael Davila who will be singing the role of Radames in Aida. Mr. Davila regularly performs across the U.S. and has sung with such companies as Palm Beach Opera, Washington National Opera, Sarasota Opera, National Lyric Opera of New York, and Lyric Opera of Kansas. He has also appeared internationally with such companies as Opera de Puerto Rico, New Zealand Opera, Teatro San Carlo (Naples), and the Reisoper (Amsterdam). Aida will be Mr. Davila s Manitoba Opera debut. 1. Who was your favourite pop star growing up? Olivia Newton-John. After Grease, I had a crush on her and bought all her recordings. 2. What is your favourite children s book? I remember my mom reading passages of El Cid before I went to bed. I hope I can sing that opera someday. 3. What would I find in your refrigerator right now? Orange juice is always a must; it s my favourite beverage. 4. If you could be a superhero, what would you want your super powers to be? To fly. 5. Which celebrity would you like to have dinner with? A Canadian - David Foster - my favorite popular music composer, arranger, and producer. 6. What is the oldest item that you own? An old manual Nikon camera 7. What s the scariest thing you ve ever done? When I was a reckless teenager, I would drive at night with the lights off on a curvy mountain where I lived, while putting my legs over the window, with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the pedals. 8. What movie would you take with you to a desert island? Any 007 movie, I am a big fan and have the whole collection.
9. What advice would you give to your younger self? Trust you heart. 10. If you could live the life of any of the characters you ve played onstage, who would it be? Probably the Duke of Mantua. He has a good position, money, women, and never suffers, or at least only for a short period of time until he realizes the woman he is longing for is within his reach in the castle. 11. What is your favourite song to sing on karaoke night? A good one for tenors, The Eye of the Tiger. 12. What would be on the menu of your last meal? My favorite meal - chicken stew with white rice - very popular back home. 13. What s the name of the last book that you recommended to someone? The Four Voices of Men by Jerome Hines 14. What is your most prized possession? My LPs, tapes and CDs collection; more than 35 years in the making. 15. Describe your perfect day. Cooking a BBQ with family and friends.
Offstage with Rafael Davila This month, we talk to talented Puerto Rican tenor Rafael Davila who will be singing the role of Radames in Aida. Mr. Davila regularly performs across the U.S. and has sung with such companies as Palm Beach Opera, Washington National Opera, Sarasota Opera, National Lyric Opera of New York, and Lyric Opera of Kansas. He has also appeared internationally with such companies as Opera de Puerto Rico, New Zealand Opera, Teatro San Carlo (Naples), and the Reisoper (Amsterdam). Aida will be Mr. Davila s Manitoba Opera debut. 1. Who was your favourite pop star growing up? Olivia Newton-John. After Grease, I had a crush on her and bought all her recordings. 2. What is your favourite children s book? I remember my mom reading passages of El Cid before I went to bed. I hope I can sing that opera someday. 3. What would I find in your refrigerator right now? Orange juice is always a must; it s my favourite beverage. 4. If you could be a superhero, what would you want your super powers to be? To fly. 5. Which celebrity would you like to have dinner with? A Canadian - David Foster - my favorite popular music composer, arranger, and producer. 6. What is the oldest item that you own? An old manual Nikon camera 7. What s the scariest thing you ve ever done? When I was a reckless teenager, I would drive at night with the lights off on a curvy mountain where I lived, while putting my legs over the window, with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the pedals. 8. What movie would you take with you to a desert island? Any 007 movie, I am a big fan and have the whole collection.
9. What advice would you give to your younger self? Trust you heart. 10. If you could live the life of any of the characters you ve played onstage, who would it be? Probably the Duke of Mantua. He has a good position, money, women, and never suffers, or at least only for a short period of time until he realizes the woman he is longing for is within his reach in the castle. 11. What is your favourite song to sing on karaoke night? A good one for tenors, The Eye of the Tiger. 12. What would be on the menu of your last meal? My favorite meal - chicken stew with white rice - very popular back home. 13. What s the name of the last book that you recommended to someone? The Four Voices of Men by Jerome Hines 14. What is your most prized possession? My LPs, tapes and CDs collection; more than 35 years in the making. 15. Describe your perfect day. Cooking a BBQ with family and friends.