dale tracy
Since his successful debut as soloist at Avery Fisher Hall in New
York, Dale Tracy has garnered praise from critics, composers and
conductors alike for his multi-emotional tones and skillful
interpretation in a wide variety of singing styles. Recent triumphs for
Mr. Tracy include his role as the tragic Hans Scholl in the San
Francisco production of Zimmerman’s Weisse Rose. Mr. Tracy can
be heard as featured soloist on recordings by the San Francisco
Symphony Chorus: Voices 1900/2000, Delos, The Grace Cathedral
Chorus of Men and Boys: Shepherds and Carols, Songs of The
Season, Independent (also on DVD) and in a new work by composer
Jerry Gerber: In Praise of Poets, Ottava. Mr. Tracy has performed the
roles of Raoul, Viscomte de Chagney and Phantom in the Hamburg,
Germany production of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s, Phantom of The
Opera. Other musical theatre roles include the Caliph in Kismet, Matt
in The Fantastiks and Tony in West Side Story. Opera audiences have
seen Mr. Tra!
cy in
roles as Faust in Gounoud’s Faust, Satyavan in Holst’s Savitri and as
Fred in Davies and Dabrusin’s The Night Harry Stopped Smoking.
Mr. Tracy has concertized extensively throughout Europe and the
United States, appearing with, among other prominent musical
organizations, the Hessische Staatstheater, the Freiburger Muenster,
The William Hall Chorale and The Pacific Symphony. In oratorio,
Mr. Tracy has performed roles in the works of Handel, Mendelssohn,
Haydn and Conte. He is a tenured member of the San Francisco
Opera Chorus and makes his home in San Francisco.
Thank you dear Dale for this great interview!
Sandra - What has it meant for your artistic career being the Phantom
of the Opera in Webber's musical?
Dale - Being Phantom for 5 years in Hamburg, Germany allowed me
to develop many of the skills a singer needs such as acting, vocal
technique and endurance. Over the years I have met many other
actors and singers who have performed in Phantom. There is a strong
bond even though we haven't met before. We are the true survivors!!
Sandra - What scene/song of The Phantom Of The Opera is your
favorite and why.
Dale - My favorite scene in Phantom was always the Final Lair. It's
the scene that answers some of the mysteries about the character and
at the same time leaves the audience with more questions. The
moments leading up to Christine returning the ring to the Phantom
are very powerful. When the Phantom finally tells her that he loves
her it is as if light has broken into his soul for the first time ever- but
it's too late.
Sandra - What are some personal aspects you incorporate into your
interpretation of the Phantom?
Dale - The personal aspects that I incorporated into my performance
of the role of Phantom are qualities that are relative to the human
condition. Love, rapture, disappointment, seeking. I tried to portray
the character in such a way that people were drawn to him and into
feeling his anguish.
Sometimes a theater piece can illuminate emotions in such a way that
an audience member gains insight into his or her own real- life
situation.
Sandra - Can you tell us a personal anecdote you remember from the
rehearsals of the play?
Dale - I was so lucky to make my premiere with the very lovely and
talented Deborah Dutcher. I remember eating Bami-Go-Reng at an
Asian Imbiss around the corner from the theater whenever we got a
break. It was Good and Greasy!! We had great chats about our crazy
characters.
Sandra - In your opinion, what is it that makes the show so appealing?
Dale - I think Phantom is so appealing because it allows the audience
to identify with and even recognise something of themselves in this
grotesque, complex man. And the tunes are pretty catcchy as well!
Sandra - You played Raoul role too; What is your opinion about
Raoul, and the other two main characters, the Phantom and Christine?
Dale - I am very glad that I got the chance to play Raoul first because
it gave me a broader understanding of what the Phantom is really up
against- who his competition is. In some ways I think this Musical
should be retitled "Christine". Ultimately it is her decision which
affects the lives of these two men. They both struggle for her
affection and attention while she tries desperately to understand
herself and to find her truth. I often think in the end that Raoul
provided Christine with the stability she craved but the passion she
felt with the Phantom was never felt again.
Sandra - What did you find most difficult to prepare for your role?
Dale - One of the most difficult aspects of preparing for the role of
Phantom was learning to sing with the mask on. It not only takes
your voice away from one ear but also from the cheekbones which
are usually used to resonate with. I had to get comfortable with a
completely different technique.
Sandra - You have been in wonderful works such as Faust (Gounod),
Die Zauberfloete (Mozart), Messiah (Handel), Requiem (Mozart),
Carmina Burana (Orff), etc. What role would you like to play
someday?
Dale - I have enjoyed the opportunity to play diverse characters on
stage both in Opera and Musical Theater. The role of Valjean in "Les
Miserables" is one that I would love to sing. The other is the dual role
of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in "Jekyll and Hyde".
Sandra - Tell us about your future projects.
Dale - I am very excited about a new project which I am currently
preparing to open in 2009. It is a Musical Theater evening in many
languages- German, Italian and English featuring many well known
songs and duets from Phantom (auf Deutsch), Les Mis, Jekyll and
Hyde, Nella Fantasia and Con te Partiro.
Sandra - Can you tell us some words to your fans?
Dale - To the many Phans of Phantom I want to express my gratitude
for your interest and kindness toward me over the years. Without you
there would not have been a reason to explore this very deep and
complicated man and his world.
"nun hinab, wie so oft in mein Verliess der Nacht, wo der Wahnsinn
mich eingekehrkert haellt..."
Please, don't copy this text and photos without my permission.
Copyright by Ladyghost.
York, Dale Tracy has garnered praise from critics, composers and
conductors alike for his multi-emotional tones and skillful
interpretation in a wide variety of singing styles. Recent triumphs for
Mr. Tracy include his role as the tragic Hans Scholl in the San
Francisco production of Zimmerman’s Weisse Rose. Mr. Tracy can
be heard as featured soloist on recordings by the San Francisco
Symphony Chorus: Voices 1900/2000, Delos, The Grace Cathedral
Chorus of Men and Boys: Shepherds and Carols, Songs of The
Season, Independent (also on DVD) and in a new work by composer
Jerry Gerber: In Praise of Poets, Ottava. Mr. Tracy has performed the
roles of Raoul, Viscomte de Chagney and Phantom in the Hamburg,
Germany production of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s, Phantom of The
Opera. Other musical theatre roles include the Caliph in Kismet, Matt
in The Fantastiks and Tony in West Side Story. Opera audiences have
seen Mr. Tra!
cy in
roles as Faust in Gounoud’s Faust, Satyavan in Holst’s Savitri and as
Fred in Davies and Dabrusin’s The Night Harry Stopped Smoking.
Mr. Tracy has concertized extensively throughout Europe and the
United States, appearing with, among other prominent musical
organizations, the Hessische Staatstheater, the Freiburger Muenster,
The William Hall Chorale and The Pacific Symphony. In oratorio,
Mr. Tracy has performed roles in the works of Handel, Mendelssohn,
Haydn and Conte. He is a tenured member of the San Francisco
Opera Chorus and makes his home in San Francisco.
Thank you dear Dale for this great interview!
Sandra - What has it meant for your artistic career being the Phantom
of the Opera in Webber's musical?
Dale - Being Phantom for 5 years in Hamburg, Germany allowed me
to develop many of the skills a singer needs such as acting, vocal
technique and endurance. Over the years I have met many other
actors and singers who have performed in Phantom. There is a strong
bond even though we haven't met before. We are the true survivors!!
Sandra - What scene/song of The Phantom Of The Opera is your
favorite and why.
Dale - My favorite scene in Phantom was always the Final Lair. It's
the scene that answers some of the mysteries about the character and
at the same time leaves the audience with more questions. The
moments leading up to Christine returning the ring to the Phantom
are very powerful. When the Phantom finally tells her that he loves
her it is as if light has broken into his soul for the first time ever- but
it's too late.
Sandra - What are some personal aspects you incorporate into your
interpretation of the Phantom?
Dale - The personal aspects that I incorporated into my performance
of the role of Phantom are qualities that are relative to the human
condition. Love, rapture, disappointment, seeking. I tried to portray
the character in such a way that people were drawn to him and into
feeling his anguish.
Sometimes a theater piece can illuminate emotions in such a way that
an audience member gains insight into his or her own real- life
situation.
Sandra - Can you tell us a personal anecdote you remember from the
rehearsals of the play?
Dale - I was so lucky to make my premiere with the very lovely and
talented Deborah Dutcher. I remember eating Bami-Go-Reng at an
Asian Imbiss around the corner from the theater whenever we got a
break. It was Good and Greasy!! We had great chats about our crazy
characters.
Sandra - In your opinion, what is it that makes the show so appealing?
Dale - I think Phantom is so appealing because it allows the audience
to identify with and even recognise something of themselves in this
grotesque, complex man. And the tunes are pretty catcchy as well!
Sandra - You played Raoul role too; What is your opinion about
Raoul, and the other two main characters, the Phantom and Christine?
Dale - I am very glad that I got the chance to play Raoul first because
it gave me a broader understanding of what the Phantom is really up
against- who his competition is. In some ways I think this Musical
should be retitled "Christine". Ultimately it is her decision which
affects the lives of these two men. They both struggle for her
affection and attention while she tries desperately to understand
herself and to find her truth. I often think in the end that Raoul
provided Christine with the stability she craved but the passion she
felt with the Phantom was never felt again.
Sandra - What did you find most difficult to prepare for your role?
Dale - One of the most difficult aspects of preparing for the role of
Phantom was learning to sing with the mask on. It not only takes
your voice away from one ear but also from the cheekbones which
are usually used to resonate with. I had to get comfortable with a
completely different technique.
Sandra - You have been in wonderful works such as Faust (Gounod),
Die Zauberfloete (Mozart), Messiah (Handel), Requiem (Mozart),
Carmina Burana (Orff), etc. What role would you like to play
someday?
Dale - I have enjoyed the opportunity to play diverse characters on
stage both in Opera and Musical Theater. The role of Valjean in "Les
Miserables" is one that I would love to sing. The other is the dual role
of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in "Jekyll and Hyde".
Sandra - Tell us about your future projects.
Dale - I am very excited about a new project which I am currently
preparing to open in 2009. It is a Musical Theater evening in many
languages- German, Italian and English featuring many well known
songs and duets from Phantom (auf Deutsch), Les Mis, Jekyll and
Hyde, Nella Fantasia and Con te Partiro.
Sandra - Can you tell us some words to your fans?
Dale - To the many Phans of Phantom I want to express my gratitude
for your interest and kindness toward me over the years. Without you
there would not have been a reason to explore this very deep and
complicated man and his world.
"nun hinab, wie so oft in mein Verliess der Nacht, wo der Wahnsinn
mich eingekehrkert haellt..."
Please, don't copy this text and photos without my permission.
Copyright by Ladyghost.
