What she's doing with us: South African soprano Elza van den Heever is playing the title role in Bellini's Norma with us this fall at the October 23, 26, 28, and Nov. 5 performances. 

The role of Norma is one of the pinnacles of the dramatic soprano repertoire, and van den Heever is no stranger to this role. After her 2015 performance of ​Norma​ with the Opéra National de Bordeaux, she garnered both critical and audience acclaim: "The virtuosity of Ms. van den Heever is breathtaking... coloratura at the top of the range, with stunning maturity in the lower range. With her controlled virtuosity, [she] had the audience awaiting every note." (Bachtrack)

For more information on our production of Norma, click here.

Where you might have seen her: Elza van den Heever has appeared on the stage at the Four Seasons Centre once before in the COC production of Il Trovatore, in which she played the role of Leonore. Her portrayal of this iconic role was widely praised: "Her performance as the piece's tragic heroine... hit all of the emotional touchstones the part requires: vulnerability, ecstatic love and heart-rending despair. From the opening notes of 'Tacea la notte placida,' it was obvious we were in the hands of a singer for whom delicacy and power are not mutually exclusive." (The Toronto Star)

Above: Elza van den Heever in the COC's 2012 production of Il Trovatore

Another highlight in van den Heever's career was her 2012 debut at the Metropolitan Opera where she performed the role of Elisabetta in Donizetti's Maria Stuarda opposite Joyce DiDonato. This opera was broadcast nationally and internationally as a part of the Metropolitan Opera's Live in HD program. "Her voice has penetrating depth and character. She turns flights of coloratura passagework into bursts of jealousy and defiance as Elizabeth contends with the threat that Mary, a blood relative, poses to her reign in England." (The New York Times)

 

​Above: Elza van den Heever performing the role of Elisabetta in the Metropolitan Opera's 2012 production of Donizetti's Maria Stuarda

Her thoughts on Norma: "The sheer endurance required to sing from the beginning all the way to the end is incredible! The most delicate passages come toward the end of the opera when you have already sung so much and your body and voice is just spent! So, it really is like climbing a mountain... I have always regarded it as such. But also, just as rewarding. It's like reaching the top of a mountain and being able to observe the most exquisite view imaginable!"

"[Norma] is so complex and her relationships with everyone around her are so twisted. She is actually very real; her emotions run hot and cold very easily (like some of us!); her music is wild, exciting, tender and sweet all in one. It's wonderful to play such a woman!"

Hard hitting questions:

1. What are your least favourite things to do?

Memorize a debut role and finding shoes that fit my huge feet!

2. Would you rather vacation at a 5-star hotel or in a tent under five million stars?

Tent all the way!

3. What performer would you drop everything for to see?

Barbra Streisand

4. What is your favourite place in the world?

My kitchen

5. What is your preferred pre- or post-show meal?

Pre-show: pasta / post-show: champagne

6. Weirdest word in the English language?

Yeti

7. Les Misérables, Rent or Hamilton?

Chicago

8. What is the worst job you've ever had?

Chopping onions

9. Who would play you in a movie of our life?

Sigourney Weaver

10. One piece of advice for Norma?

It's not all about "Casta Diva"!

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Photo credits (top - bottom): Elza van den Heever, photo by Dario Acosta; Elza van den Heever in ​Il Trovatore ​(COC, 2012), photo: Michael Cooper; Elza van den Heever, photo by Roberto Giostra