came to Michigan but has since learned
the language and become a citizen. "It's
difficult to find bookings month after
month."
Her willingness to travel does not
include Moldova for very personal and
tragic reasons.
She had wanted to move her par-
ents, both teachers and musicians, from
Russia to the United States, but her
mother was too ill and died there last
year. She was able to bring her father to
the United States, but he committed
suicide soon after he arrived.
"It would hurt too much to return,
and I think I have had enough pain,"
Moldavians to perform, and she was
she said.
from Russia.
Mishura also experienced pain going
Mishura attributes her American
through
a divorce but has found happi-
career advancement in large part to the
ness
in
a
new marriage. Her husband,
help of the Jewish community.
Jack
Morris,
a financial planner, has
Before she had a piano, she was
helped
advance
her career.
allowed to rehearse daily at the Jewish
"Because
of
him, I found my man-
Community Center in Oak Park.
ager," Mishura said. "He took me to
Invitations to perform in recitals at syn-
New York and introduced me. He
agogues and temples showcased her tal-
advised me and really
ents for individuals
has been a special
instrumental in set-
friend."
ting up a MOT audi-
Mishura, whose
tion.
mother
was Jewish and
"I've met many
whose
father
was not,
people who became
said she was not raised
my fans and friends,
to practice Judaism.
and they are at my
Although
she tries to
concerts," she said.
keep
holidays
and tra-
"They are very pre-
ditions
whenever
she
cious to me. Every
can,
she
finds
that
her
company where I've
observance
generally
is
performed wants me
limited
to
lighting
the
back for five and six
Sabbath candles.
years ahead in differ-
Her second husband
ent roles."
is
not Jewish, and her
Opera companies
Irina
Mishura:
"The
role
of
daughter
has set aside
in San Francisco,
Amneris
is
one
of
my
favorites
her
interest
in studying
Toledo, Miami and
because its Verdi, and people tell Hebrew and singing in
Cincinnati are
me that my voice is for Verdi.
Jewish choirs.
among those who
His music is very comfortable for
After her perfor-
have cast her in
a mezzo-soprano."
mance in Aida,
important produc-
Mishura will go on to
tions. There also have
perform
in
New
Orleans and Dallas.
been foreign performances, and last
Next
year's
engagements
include tour-
April, she sang with the Jerusalem
ing
the
role
of
Delilah
in
the opera
Symphony.
Samson
and
Delilah.
"The only tough part is being away
"I have a goal of singing with the
from my daughter, Rachel," Mishura
Chicago Lyric Opera and the
said. "When she was younger, I was
Metropolitan Opera," Mishura said. "I
able to take her with me. Now that
hope that life will send me that."
she's in [Seaholm] high school, she can't
miss classes."
Soon, Mishura will travel to London
to look for more opportunities with
the Detroit Opera House. The
European companies.
opening night performance will be'
"I adore the United States, but
unfortunately, I can't be booked com-
Epera Ball. For inform tion,
pletely in this country," said the diva,
who barely spoke English when she

Since emigrating from Moldova to
Michigan, Irina Mishura has taken
the opera world by storm.

SUZANNE CHESSLER
Special to The Jewish News

ternational opera singer Irina
Mishura has traveled a long dis-
tance in the five years since she
oved from Moldova to
Michigan and has no intention of
- returning to the nation where she got
— her start.
Firmly rooted in the Michigan
Opera Theatre (MOT) and branched
out to prestigious classical venues
around the country, Mishura is prepar-
ing to play the Egyptian princess
Amneris in the MOT production of
Aida.
Verdi's work, which runs Sept. 20-
Oct. 5 to open the season at the
Detroit Opera House, is a passionate
love story. Radames, captain of the
Egyptian Guards, struggles with his
affection for Aida, an enslaved
Ethiopian princess, and the jealous love
_ felt by Amneris.
"MOT has been the best thing that's
happened to me since arriving in the
United States," said Mishura, whose
professional achievements recently
allowed her to move from a small
apartment to a spacious home.
"The role of Amneris is one of my
favorites because it's Verdi, and people
tell me that my voice is for Verdi. His
music is very comfortable for a mezzo-
soprano.
"After my success in Detroit with
Carmen last year, I want to prove to
--, our audiences that I can do even better.
I'm working so hard every day just try-
ing to prove myself and to keep the
level rising."
Mishura, who starred in the
\
, ' Moldavian State Opera before relocat
ing to the United States in 1992
with her husband and 9-year-old
daughter, had toured Europe with the
repertory company. The family decid-
-ed to leave after the Soviet Union dis-
solved and political conditions hurt
her career. The opera wanted native

a

•

Photo by Ron Sche rl

Detroit Diva

Aida opens the season at the
Detroit Opera House.

Temptation,
Tragedy
and
Triumph

he Michigan Opera
Theatre (MOT) has
titled its 1997-98 season
Temptation, Tragedy and
Triumph to capture the essence of
the productions. The Detroit
Opera House schedule appears
below. For information call (313)

T

874 SING (7464).

-

Aida: Sept. 20 Oct.5
Verdi captures the mood of
ancient Egypt and love torn by
war and jealousy.

-

The Magic Flute: Oct. 18-26
Mozart's final opera has mysti-
cal overtures as it portrays a
princess victimized by the evil
Queen of the Night.

Manon: April 18-26
Massenet's work follows a
young girl eager to be corrupted
by passion, riches and sensuality.

The Elixir of Love: May 9-17
Donizetti's comedy features a
love-sick boy, a witty and flighty
girl, a boastful sergeant and an
inexhaustible salesman of quack
medicine.

Porgy and Bess: May 30-June 14
George Gershwin's great mas-
terpiece explores triumphant faith
and love set in the poverty-strick-
en slums of South Carolina.

9/19
1997

97