Kovalevska, 28, will perform "La Boheme" in the LA Opera production conceived by the late film director Herbert Ross ("The Turning Point," "Steel Magnolias"). "I like this production because it's so simple," Kovalevska says. "There's not too much movement so I can concentrate on the emotions." (She shares the role of Mimi with Virginia Tola -- see below.)
Tall, slender and fair-skinned, Kovalevska cuts a model-like figure. "I like to stay fit. I jog whenever I can," she says. "But it's not only to look good. It's for singing." She says strong abdominal muscles are the key to a great voice. "We keep all of our breath down there, deep down inside. It's a bit like yoga."
Kovalevska segued into opera at age 17 after studying piano, partially out of a love for languages. She speaks four fluently (Latvian, Russian, Italian, English) and can perform in a couple more (German, French). When preparing for the cover photo shoot, she and Schrott -- who had met for the first time a few minutes before -- discuss the best angles for lighting in animated Italian. (He used to live in Italy; she studies near Bologna with the legendary soprano Mirella Freni.)
Like Schrott, Kovalevska sees opera as a populist art form. She mentions a New Yorker magazine article from earlier this year that put the per-screen, per-day grosses of the Met's multiplex HD broadcasts of its Saturday matinees above that of Hollywood's own. "Opera is so powerful, you can't be indifferent to it," Kovalevska says. "You either hate it or love it." As for the future of an art form perpetually described as near death, she remains optimistic: "If it has survived until now, there is a reason. I think opera will live forever."
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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
WAITING IN THE WINGS
VIRGINIA TOLA
The Argentina-born soprano plays Mimi in "La Boheme," sharing the role with Maija Kovalevska. Tola's international career has taken off since she won three prizes at the 2000 Operalia competition held that year in L.A. On that occasion, Times critic Mark Swed singled her out from the other winners by describing her as "the one who brings Maria Callas to mind."
ALEXANDRA DESHORTIES
When the French-Canadian soprano performed Mozart's "The Abduction From the Seraglio" at the Met in 2003, a heckler repeatedly booed her until he was thrown out during intermission. The incident, which attracted significant media attention, didn't seriously harm Deshorties' career, and today she's one of opera's most sought-after young stars. She makes her LA Opera debut in "Don Giovanni" as the vengeance-seeking Donna Anna.
CHARLES CASTRONOVO
The New York-born tenor grew up in Southern California and attended Cal State Fullerton, where he majored in music. One of his early jobs was as a member of the LA Opera chorus. In "Don Giovanni," he plays Don Ottavio, who challenges the title character to a sword fight. Castronovo will return to the area later this season in San Diego Opera's production of "The Pearl Fishers" by Georges Bizet.
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DON GIOVANNI
WHERE: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., LA
WHEN: Opens 7:30 p.m. Sat., closes Dec. 15. See website for full schedule.
PRICE: $20-$238.
INFO: (213) 972-8001; www.losangelesopera.com
LA BOHEME
WHERE: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A.
WHEN: Opens 2 p.m. Sun., closes Dec. 16. See website for full schedule.
PRICE: $20-$238.
INFO: (213) 972-8001; www.losangelesopera.com
