Hitting the high notes: Havertown mom, daughter team up in ‘Carmen’
As a longtime soprano with the Opera Philadelphia chorus, Carole Latimer of Havertown has sung in three past productions of Bizet’s ever-popular “Carmen.”
The company is presenting it as the finale for this season, with performances continuing through Sunday, May 7.
Latimer is again in the chorus, but this time, with a novelty that makes it a unique experience. Her 24 year old daughter Kara Mulder is also in the chorus.
“I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Latimer. “Kara’s been away at college and graduate school for quite a few years. We’ve always had to travel to see her perform. Now it’s surreal to be performing with her on the same stage.”
Her daughter, also a soprano, agrees.
“It’s super lucky that I can be in the same show as my mom,” said Mulder, who recently returned to Havertown after completing graduate study in Michigan. .
This mother-daughter connection with Opera Philadelphia started even before Mulder was born. Her mother recalls a surprise baby shower 25 years ago arranged by the other members of the Opera Philadelphia chorus.
It took place in a dressing room at the Academy of Music before a performance of “Eugene Onegin.”
“I still keep the photo that event,” said Latimer.
It’s not just a first for mom and daughter.
“We think this is the first time we’ve ever had a mother and daughter together in the chorus,” said Frank Luzi, Vice-President of Communications for Opera Philadelphia.
Besides the novelty, for the singers there’s the challenge of adapting to new roles.
“We do not critique each other. That’s an absolute nono,” said Latimer. “I’m not her stage director, I’m not her singing teacher. At the Academy of Music, we are colleagues, not mother and daughter. So I’m learning a new role. ” of
The two commute together from Havertown to Center City, first during the weeks of rehearsals, and now for performances. During the commute they do not listen to opera or discuss it. “We listen to pop music,” confessed Latimer.
Both are ardent “Carmen.”
“I love it!” said Mulder. “I think it’s absolutely incredible. It’s so captivating. You really fall in love with these characters.” Her mother agrees. “The music is so passionate and thrilling,” she said. “We’re so grateful to be part of this incredible work of art.”
Of course, this meant considerable time and effort preparing, rehearsing, and now performing.
“It’s a very chorus-heavy show,” said Mulder.
Mother and daughter are among 15 sopranos and, as such, they are in all four acts, with significant singing in each act.
“It was time-consuming to memorize all the words to the songs,” said Mulder, noting that this must be done even before rehearsals begin.
Moreover, the entire opera is sung in French.
“It’s part of our training as opera singers to learn foreign languages,” said Latimer. “We must be equipped to pronounce and interpret in foreign languages.”
Latimer, who teaches singing at the Haverrford School, trained at the College Conservatory of Music in Cincinatti and earned a Master’s degree in music and voice performance at the University of Toronto Opera School, where she also received an opera diploma. fans of
Her daughter also pursued an education focused on music, studying first at the prestigious Eastman School of Music and then earning her Master’s degree in voice at the University of Michigan.
They are not the only singers in the family. Latimer’s husband Michael Mulder is a former Opera Philadelphia chorus member. He was a bass singer when both began as chorus members with Opera Philadelphia 25 years ago. (He stopped after 10 years, but Latimer has continued, although not for 25 consecutive years)
Daughter Madeleine, 15, like her sister Kara, inherited the singing gene.
“She’s a beautiful singer,” said her mother, noting that she also plays violin, piano and guitar.
Madeleine eagerly attended the final dress rehearsal for “Carmen,” seeing both her mother and sister on the stage for the first time. Michael Mulder had the same experience recently.
Both sopranos have musical activities beyond Opera Philadelphia. Kara Mulder will be performing in a concert in May with the Princeton Singers. Her music career is just beginning and she especially hopes to continue to sing in the Opera Philadelphia chorus next season.
As for Latimer, besides her longtime participation with Opera Philadelphia, she often does free lance singing assignments. One highlight two years ago was when she sang as an extra for the Metropolitan Opera Chorus in a performance of “Die Meistersinger.”