Opera Philadelphia faced a crisis on the eve of its opening night when lead soprano Lauren Snouffer withdrew from Mozart’s early work Mitridate, re di Ponto. The company turned to Brenda Rae, a 44‑year‑old soprano based in Minneapolis, who agreed to step in despite a packed travel schedule.
Rapid response saves the production
Rae was driving home to her father in Appleton, Wisconsin, when she received a call from Michael Eberhard, Opera Philadelphia’s director of casting. He asked if she could travel immediately to cover the role of Aspasia. After confirming she could still spend Friday with her father—a first visit since her mother’s death—Rae booked a flight with a connection in Detroit, then changed planes in Minneapolis due to a cancellation.
She arrived in Philadelphia on Saturday, just in time for the orchestra dress rehearsal at the Academy of Music. Within hours she completed costume and wig fittings; her outfit—a white Oscar de Renta pantsuit purchased online—was ready for the stage.
Collaboration and community support
General director Anthony Roth Costanzo praised the collaborative decision‑making that led to Rae’s quick hiring, emphasizing that the company prioritizes the well‑being of its artists. “I don’t believe in being autonomous in those things unless it’s absolutely necessary,” he said, noting that the alternative would have been to cut Aspasia’s four arias and a duet, dramatically altering the opera.
Tenor Lawrence Brownlee, who sings the title role, thanked Rae for stepping in, saying, “Thank you for saving the show.” The production team, including conductor Corrado Rovaris and director Emma Griffin, worked intensively with Rae through rehearsals, ensuring she was comfortable with the recitative and musical nuances.
Rae’s experience and the stakes
Rae’s prior experience with the role includes two performances with Brownlee at Boston Lyric Opera in September 2024 and a single earlier run as Aspasia. She has also performed in world premieres, such as Jake Heggie’s The Judgment of Paris at Festival Napa Valley, and is slated for a debut in Richard Strauss’s Salome at Seattle Opera.
She described the situation as “especially stressful” because Mozart’s opera demands precise recitative and extensive vocal agility. Nonetheless, Rae’s professionalism and the company’s swift logistical support—housing at the ROOST Midtown hotel and even a tofu delivery—allowed her to focus on the performance.
Opening night success
On Wednesday night, Rae took the stage alongside Brownlee and Costanzo. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause during curtain calls, and the production proceeded without further incident. Rae reflected on the whirlwind experience, noting she arrived with only a small suitcase and had to do laundry in her apartment the night before.
The successful rescue of Opera Philadelphia’s opening night highlights the resilience of the local arts community and the importance of quick, collaborative decision‑making when unexpected challenges arise.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
