Elizabeth Futral, Soprano, Peabody Faculty
Well Canto Conversation
The extraordinary artist Elizabeth Futral first came to my attention in1993 at New York City Opera. As I watched a stage rehearsal of Michael Tippet’s Midsummer Marriage, I realized I was witnessing a new standard of performance. Utterly lacking in both affectation and inhibition, this artist was all realism and honesty, offering a portrayal that rent the heart… mine and everyone else’s in the house. She moved like a dancer, looked like a movie star and well, that voice.
Elizabeth’s Bio https://peabody.jhu.edu/faculty/elizabeth-futral/
Our lives circled around one another for the next 3 decades as Elizabeth worked many times with my husband, Baritone Stephen Powell, and I worked with her husband, Conductor Stephen White, creating relationships of great value and great fun. Everyone who knows Elizabeth understands that although Diva is an easy skin for her to wear when called for, real-life Elizabeth is all humanity, hard work, and heart.
Currently on faculty at Peabody Institute of The John Hopkins University, these exact qualities - as well as vast experience - now benefit the next generations of performing artists. Read on for advice from Elizabeth as she reflects:
Well Canto: What are the personal qualities, characteristics, and personality traits that helped you become so successful in your artistic life and career?