Wood embraces opera experience

The English language’s most legendary wordsmith was the great William Shakespeare. This season the 12th annual Vocal Arts Festival hits its stride with two operas borrowed from the Bard’s canon.

French composer Charles Gounod was inspired to create a timeless, sensual score for his Roméo et Juliette opening at the Timms Centre on June 22 for a three-day run.

And Giuseppe Verdi, a passionate life-long admirer of Shakespeare, unleashes a dash of mischief with his brilliant score and keen insight in Falstaff, opening on June 23 and running alternate days. Falstaff was miraculously written when Verdi was 80. Many have called it his greatest masterpiece.

Produced by Opera Nuova, this six-week intensive brings together elite emerging artists with entrenched professionals of national recognition and works at providing a bridge for potential careers.

St. Albert’s Cait Wood has twice taken advantage of the nurturing environment. In the world of opera, her soprano voice is classified as a soubrette, light with a bright, sweet timbre. As a graduate of the University of Manitoba, she tackles the role of the coquettish Nanetta in Falstaff.

Kim Mattice directs Falstaff where the title character is a fat, roguish knight who has run out of money and is looking for a quick fix. Believing he is God’s gift to women, he sets his sights on two rich women and writes them love letters.

“But women gossip and chat, and when they realize he’s sent them the same letter they decide to get back at him,” laughs Wood, who got her start singing musicals at Bellerose high.

Nanetta is the daughter of one of the letter recipients. In a secondary plotline, this mischievous flirt steals kisses from Fenton, a young gentleman. Tension rises when Nanetta’s father tries to marry her to an older man. “Nanetta and Fenton love each other so much and they have these fabulous duels where they keep trying to grab one more kiss.”

For Wood, Verdi’s score, although difficult, is complete genius.

“Verdi could combine powerful dramatic situations and create music that supports it. Because he’s so clear in his markings in what was to happen dramatically, you can hear it in the music so plainly.”

In fact, one of the young singer’s favourite parts is during a forest scene where she dresses up as a fairy queen and sings an aria to throw fear into Falstaff. “It’s so ethereal, mysterious and beautiful. I feel so connected to the music and it confirms what Nanetta is supposed to be doing — just the way Verdi set up the scene.”

Wood performs on Friday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 27 at 1:30 p.m.