Manitoba Opera explores human connection, compassion and how technology impacts our relationships in their season opening production featuring two one-act operas: Menotti’s The Telephone and Poulenc’s La voix humaine.

“I mean, it’s awesome,” beams soprano Lida Szkwarek when asked about how it feels to make her Manitoba Opera production debut in Menotti’s The Telephone. Set to perform as Micaela in Bizet’s Carmen, the show was one of the first cancelled in Winnipeg during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in late March 2020. 

Both Szkwarek and Ciekiewicz performed as part of the marquee Sopranos of Winnipeg virtual showcase in November 2020, though that concert had a decidedly different feel than a production. “It was a nice little welcome into the hall, as I’d never sung there before,” says Szkwarek. “And now I finally get to do a production… it’s just great, just simply wonderful.” 

Joining Szkwarek in The Telephone will be returning bass-baritone Johnathon Kirby, who was also to perform in the cancelled Carmen. 

Paired with the lighter Menotti is Poulenc's emotion-laden, tour-de-force for solo soprano and orchestra La voix humaine. 

“From my perspective, the gift and the challenge of La voix humaine is to just keep going,” explains soprano Lara Ciekiewicz. Not unlike a concerto for soprano, the demands of the singer are great: challenging music, dynamic acting and busy text all make for a “wild ride” according to Ciekiewicz.   

Manitoba Opera’s first production in the 2021-22 season takes place 7:30pm Friday, November 5 with a second performance on Saturday. For tickets and safety protocols, visit: www.mbopera.ca 

In the conversation below: Lida discusses the challenges of performing with an orchestra and conductor behind you; plus, the thrill of a hometown crowd. Lara reflects on the passing of American composer Carlisle Floyd; and, how to get in the right headspace to perform Poulenc.