Meet the Student: Q&A with Soprano Sarah Fleiss

Sarah Fleiss, from North Bergen, New Jersey, stars as Ginevra in Curtis Opera Theatre’s haute couture-inspired production of George Frideric Handel’s Ariodante. She entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2019 and studies in the voice program with Julia Faulkner, adjunct faculty. All students at Curtis receive merit-based, full-tuition scholarships, and Ms. Fleiss is the David H. Springman Memorial Fellow.

What have you found the most thrilling or challenging aspect(s) of learning the role of Ginevra in Ariodante and bringing this character to life in rehearsals?
This is my first time singing a full Handel role, and I have to say the most thrilling part is simply experiencing the beauty of the music. Handel, in my opinion, is one of the best composers of all time, so it is such a privilege to be surrounded by his genius! Not only is the music stunning, but the characters are so human. I play a princess, but through the process, I have come to realize we share many of the same emotions and struggles. That is the power of opera and brilliant music—it is universal! The challenge of Baroque music specifically is the da capo format. For me, this is the most challenging but also the most liberating aspect of Handel’s music. Since there is so much repetition, we have the responsibility and joy of making every time we say something feel different and to find and inject meaning where we can. Our director, Omer Ben Seadia, said this brilliantly—that Handel is malleable, so it becomes what you want it to become.

We interviewed you when you first arrived at Curtis. From the fall of 2019 to the spring of 2023, what have been some of your most memorable moments at the school, and what do you think is the most lasting impact Curtis has had on your growth as an artist and musician?
Over my time at Curtis, I have had the chance to perform music from the Baroque to contemporary. My first performance here, crazily enough, was singing in a CSO concert with Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting! That was memorable, to say the least. Recently, I had the honor of premiering a song cycle by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Tania León; working with a living composer was daunting, but she is one of the kindest and most inspirational people I have ever met. Overall, the vast amount of musical experiences I have had, along with the support from my colleagues and teachers, have taught me to find the truth in every single piece of music I attempt to perform. My job as an artist is to be as honest and vulnerable as possible on stage, and it takes a lot of work to get to that point!

Read Sarah Fleiss’s first Curtis interview from September 17, 2019 HERE.

What’s next for you after this semester?
I have the incredible opportunity of traveling to Switzerland to participate in the Atelier Lyrique at the Verbier Festival. I will spend three weeks studying and performing art song and chamber music, as well as singing in the main stage production of Berg’s Wozzeck. As well as two chamber music recitals, I will also be attending Houston Grand Opera’s Young Artist Vocal Academy, where I will get the chance to work with the incredible staff there! In the fall, I am excited to say I will be continuing my studies at Curtis to start my Master’s degree. I cannot wait to see what the next two years have in store!

Click HERE to watch the On Stage at Curtis episode featuring Sarah Fleiss, or click the video below.

CURTIS OPERA THEATRE: ARIODANTE

Music: George Frideric Handel
Libretto: unknown, anonymously adapted from Antonio Salvi’s Ginevra principessa di Scozia, based upon Ariosto’s Orlando furioso.

Featuring members of Tempesta di Mare, orchestra

Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 5, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.

Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad Street

Click HERE for more information.

Single tickets: $19–55, sold by the Kimmel Cultural Campus Box Office at KimmelCulturalCampus.org, or (215) 893-1999.

The Curtis Opera Theatre is generously supported by the Ernestine Bacon Cairns Trust, the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, and the Wyncote Foundation.

Photos of Sarah Fleiss by Nichole MCH Photography