Q&A with Trisha Crowe
Trisha Crowe talks to StageNoise about the Sydney Symphony, Stephen Sondheim, singing for sick kids at Westmead, Bjork and Songs from the Movies.
Since we last spoke your career has gone from strength to strength with roles in shows like Company and performances with different symphony orchestras. What have been the highlights of the past year?
TC: It has been a great year. I have been able to expand as an artist and performer in different shows and concert situations. From wondering whether I would swallow a fly while singing in the vineyards at Orange, to looking like a cowboy-ballerina and meeting Stephen Sondheim during Company, to singing in the magnificent concert hall at the Sydney Opera House.
Perhaps the highlight for me was being able to share music with the sick children at the Westmead Children’s hospital. I learned just how powerful music can be when used as therapy for the children and their parents. To witness their incredible strength against all odds touched me deeply and any problems I face as a performer have seemed insignificant since then. I have learned to smile through all situations after visiting those incredible children!
You're about to appear in the Sydney Symphony’s Songs from the Movies, what can audiences expect?
TC: Songs from the Movies brings together the best movie music from the “talkies” to present day. Kate, Todd, Anthony and I have very different music styles and backgrounds so it should be a wonderful mix of music! Of course, movies wouldn’t be complete without the ethereal and dramatic choral sounds which will be sung by the beautiful Cantillation choir.
Do you have a favourite movie?
TC: Wow… tough question! I like too many to list! Perhaps, based on their performances, I loved Bjork in Dancer in the Dark and Ziyi Zhang in House of Flying Daggers.
What do you think it is about songs and scores from films that causes people to be so drawn to them?
TC: Film scores and songs hold huge emotional power. They are directly linked to what is presented visually. When the music is presented away from the movie, it still contains the emotional link with the audience and sometimes brings about memories from scenes or particular actors’ performances. It is a re-living of the film which makes the film score or song so popular to audiences. One just has to think of the movie JAWS and the one or two notes from the film score immediately spring to mind. Just the same with the Titanic theme My Heart Will Go On. Love it or hate it, the sweeping visual picture of the two leads standing with their arms outspread at the prow of the fated ship Titanic is linked to that song. It’s that powerful.
A lot of these songs are synonymous with particular versions, how do you approach a song like that and make it your own?
TC: Making any well-known song your own is always a huge challenge. Audiences love the familiarity of a well-known movie song and expect a certain style. When I approach a particular movie song, I try to think about where the song occurs in the film and what is happening emotionally at that point. From this knowledge, I start to find a personal interpretation and story I wish to convey. Either that or change the language and arrangement of the song to make it completely fresh!!
The show is on in the Opera House, a venue you have performed in a few times. What does it feel like to get up on such a famous stage and sing? Do you still have to pinch yourself?
TC: Singing with amazing musicians from the Sydney Symphony and at such a beautiful venue is a joy and a privilege. It always brings mixed emotions as well. It feels like fleeting moments you don’t want to forget; like looking out at the audience, hearing and feeling a huge wave of sound around you, knowing you are standing on a stage where brilliant performers have created special moments. It’s electrifying!
You mentioned in our last interview that you had been working on an album. Do you have any more news to tell us about that?
TC: Watch out! More to come!
What other plans do you have for this year?
TC: For the moment, I’m happy to let Music carry me where it will!
