Meet the Hercules Artists: Stephanie Sanchez

Part 3 - Stephanie Sanchez

Stephanie Sanchez is a first year Marion Roose Pullin Studio Artist, and will appear as Persephone in our new cutting-edge performace Hercules vs Vampires. We asked her a few questions about her role and thoughts on the production.

1) Welcome to your first year as a Marion Roose Pullin Arizona Opera Studio Artist! How has Arizona been treating you?

I am absolutely loving it! Everyone at Arizona Opera has been so warm and welcoming. It’s also great to be back in the southwest again.  Im originally from New Mexico so the desert is definitely home for me! 

2) You’re singing the role of Persephone in Hercules vs Vampires! Has this been a difficult role to prepare for?

There are always some challenging aspects to learning contemporary opera. Most new works tend to be less tonal with interesting rhythms and notes than the classical cannon of operas, but I enjoy the challenge. It’s like putting together a puzzle.

3) What is your favorite aspect of Persephone’s character?

Well she's a princess of the underworld, which is different from any character I've played before. The music really complements her dark, regal, and otherworldly personality. She's is also in crucial scenes that spur on the development of the story.

4) How is this production different from more traditional operas you’ve done before?

This is the first time Ive been involved in a production that also uses film. The singers are responsible for the dialogue of the story and the physicalization of the drama will be carried out by the movie. It all has to line up!  

5) What are you most looking forward to in this production?

I really love the multimedia aspect of the show, it opens it up to a much wider audience who might not usually go see an opera. I'm also looking forward to singing alongside my new colleagues for the first time!

Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 4, Part 5

Hold on tight for an out of this world event! Hercules vs Vampires combines operatic singing and 1960s pop culture, synchronizing live music with the 1961 cult classic film, Hercules in the Haunted World. Watch as the original film, starring bodybuilder Reg Park and horror legend Christopher Lee, is projected above a live orchestra and singers performing the music to a new, original score. You’ll thrill as the mighty hero Hercules journeys through the underworld, battling fiendish monsters to rescue his beloved! Action packed, outlandish, and fun for the whole family, Hercules vs Vampires offers a fresh take on this gorgeously campy Technicolor world.