ABOUT THE EPISODE

Curious about the creative life of an opera singer? For this episode of Creative Space, we have the pleasure of speaking with opera singer Julia Dawson all about that. We cover a range of topics, including how to take creative ownership by overcoming people pleasing as well as “taking pleasure” in creativity. We also dive into the production of Julia’s latest project, Obscura Nox, an opera film she co-produced and starred in that’s inspired by Plato’s Allegory of the Cave.

ABOUT JULIA DAWSON

Julia Dawson is a Canadian opera singer who has been hailed by Opera News as “radiant and riveting” and by the NYT as “beautiful in face and voice.” She’s the winner of the George London Award for a Canadian Singer and the Anny-Schlemm Prize from Oper Frankfurt. Her debut solo album, Girl in the Snow, is available on all streaming platforms and her stunning film, Obscura Nox, made its debut at Opera Philadelphia’s O22 festival.

For more information on Julia Dawson, visit: juliadawsonopera.com.

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SHOW NOTES

0:00—Intro

1:15—What’s a coloratura soprano? 

2:50—How Julia discovered opera

4:45—Maria Callas in the Attic

6:00—The schooling of an opera singer

8:45—Julia’s definition of creativity

10:33—Relaxation and learning a new role

12:14—Julia’s interests outside of opera

13:20—The move to Germany

15:28—Overcoming people pleasing 

17:50—Learning to listen to her inner voice

19:15—The stiffness of “note perfect”

21:50—Taking pleasure in creativity

23:18—The never-ending journey of an artist

24:30—Julia’s first opera film: Obscura Nox

27:14—Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and the pandemic

29:33—Is there a Latinist in the building?

31:20—Pandemic challenges in the production process

34:08—The most important message of Obscura Knox

35:26—Performing onstage vs. performing on-screen

36:32—Learning by doing

38:38—The magic of collaboration

40:43—What’s next