University of North Texas

University of North Texas College of Music master’s voice student Levi Hernandez has an extensive opera career, ranging from The Metropolitan Opera – widely known as The Met – to the San Francisco Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He is now bringing his talents to the UNT Lyric Theater stage Feb. 26 through March 6 for the UNT Opera and Concert Orchestra’s performance of “The Mother of Us All.” The modernist opera – which is a collaboration between composer Virgil Thomson and writer Gertrude Stein that chronicles the life of Susan B. Anthony and her tireless fight for women’s suffrage – will feature Hernandez as both Virgil Thomson and Indiana Elliot’s (a main character in the opera) brother.

“’The Mother of Us All’ is a very interesting and relevant piece,” Hernandez said. “Its subject matter still vibrates with what's going on in our present time with the importance of voting and rights. I'm excited to be part of a piece that is rarely done and deals with historical moments in an abstract way.”

While he has performed in operas for many major companies, including the Los Angeles Opera and Houston Grand Opera, Hernandez says UNT Opera has had a strong influence on his life. He not only noted the professionalism he has experienced, but the quality of education.

“The students are fortunate to be in great artistic hands of both Stage Director David Ward and Opera Director Stephen Dubberly, as well as the other grad students that are tech and crew,” Hernandez said. “This program has given me insight as to how I will approach teaching when the opportunity presents itself. It is a great environment where students are nurtured and allowed to grow.”

Music has always played a large role in Hernandez’s life. He says his parents have encouraged him every step of the way, even when he could not decide which direction he wanted to go musically.

“My folks did everything they could to get me to rehearsals and lessons,” Hernandez said. “I ran them pretty ragged between both choir and band. When I wanted to go from alto sax, to baritone sax, to tuba, to French horn, they supported every step of it. I decided to take private voice lessons at 15, and had great teachers who knew that music would be in my future but did not push me in any one direction.”

His passion for the craft led him to Westminster Choir College in New Jersey where he pursued a voice performance degree and fell in love with opera. His first professional debut was with Opera Philadelphia, and the jobs continued to come in from there. Hernandez has tackled roles as Sharpless in “Madama Butterfly” and Don Magnifico in “La Cenerentola” among others, but he says one particular performance for The Met was the most difficult he has faced in his decade-long career.

“The most challenging role I have had to learn was the title role in ‘The Death of Klinghoffer’ by John Adams,” Hernandez said. “The role is musically challenging but also physically challenging. Putting yourself in a particular mindset for rehearsals every day and performance was difficult. The material is also challenging and controversial but was an incredible project to be part of.”

Associate Professor of Voice Jennifer Lane, who has performed with Hernandez and now teaches him, says he is a gifted student who will continue to rise in the profession.

“It’s exciting to have a student professionally active at such a high level simultaneous to pursuing a graduate degree,” Lane said. “Levi has already passed through Chicago Lyric's Ryan Opera Center, which is one of the top three young artist programs for opera singers in the United States. His talent, training, spirit and discipline are extraordinary.”

While Hernandez will continue his opera career through runs with the Opera Theater of Saint Louis this summer, he says that what he is learning at UNT is also shaping his future as an educator.

“I know that the many tools and opportunities given to me while I am here at UNT will serve me greatly in the future when it’s time to lessen my time on stage and impart what I can on future generations of singers,” Hernandez said.

For now, he is excited to be a part of UNT Opera’s “The Mother of Us All,” and says as with every opera, he is putting his heart into the performance.

“Every time I finish a run of whatever it is I’m doing, it seems like a big accomplishment,” Hernandez said. “I never take any opportunity for granted. Every moment on that stage is special.”

Performances of “The Mother of Us All” will be held at 8 p.m. Feb. 26 and March 4, and at 3 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 6. All shows will be held in the Lyric Theater at the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 Interstate 35E, and will feature pre-performance lectures 45 minutes before each event. Tickets range from $15 to $35 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 940-369-7802 or visiting the center’s website at http://www.thempac.com.

-Courtney Taylor, news promotions

Photo courtesy of Bradford Rogne