Meet the Student: Q&A with Soprano Maya Mor Mitrani

Soprano Maya Mor Mitrani, from Tzur Moshe, Israel, stars as Flora in Curtis Opera Theatre’s chilling season opener, Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw.  Ms. Mitrani entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2021 and studies voice with adjunct faculty member Julia Faulkner. All students at Curtis receive merit-based, full-tuition scholarships, and Ms. Mor Mitrani is the Horace W. Goldsmith Fellow.

Without revealing too much of the plot of The Turn of the Screw, could you tell us about the character of Flora? From a singing and acting point of view, what is it like playing a young child on the stage?

Flora isn’t a simple little girl. She is put in this incredibly unfortunate position as an orphan, and in a way, she lives in her brother’s shadow.

I think she holds both the innocence and childishness of a kid together with something more dark, strange, and unsettling. It’s a unique opportunity to get to play with the excitement and impulsiveness of a child, and I can’t wait to bring her to the stage!

What is your first musical memory, and how did you become interested in pursuing a career in classical music and opera?

My first significant musical memory of opera is from when I was ten and sang with the Moran Choir in Israel. We sang the children’s choir part in Tosca (Puccini) in an enormous production at the foot of Mount Masada. I remember the moments backstage before going on. We got to hear the amazing singers on stage, captivating hundreds of audience members with their voices and acting. It was a magical introduction to the world of opera. I was intrigued, and with time and more exposure, I became interested in pursuing a career in opera.

You have been at Curtis since 2021. How did you hear about the school, and what have been some of the most memorable moments of your time here so far?

I heard about Curtis from my friends when I was in high school. I studied in Thelma Yelin, where we had a classical music department, so many of us were looking into attending an academy/conservatory for music once we graduated. My time here has been full of learning and gaining experiences. There have been memorable moments, such as attending the Curtis Opera Theatre’s production of Così fan tutte last year—witnessing the immense talent, artistic quality, and hard work of my peers. I believe that in this place, inspiration is all around you; you just have to observe with open ears and heart.

Another memorable moment was my first recital last year, where I got to sing Mozart on the stage in the iconic Field Concert Hall. It’s a special thing to know that many of my next memorable moments are coming up with The Turn of The Screw.

CURTIS OPERA THEATRE: THE TURN OF THE SCREW

Britten’s Gothic Tale of Terror

November 18, 2022 | Friday at 7:30 p.m.

November 20, 2022 | Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Philadelphia Film Center

Click HERE for more information.