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Putting two soprano divas in the same show is a recipe for high drama, much of it behind the scenes. That's the old stereotype, anyway.
Soprano Celena Shafer, a world-class opera singer from Utah, says she's seen dueling divas in real life — but not in her life. Shafer will perform beside another acclaimed soprano from Utah, Jennifer Welch-Babidge, on Deer Valley Music Festival's "Opera Hits!" show. You can expect plenty of vocal fireworks when the divas share the stage of the Deer Valley Amphitheater.
But there will be no hair-pulling backstage. The singers forged a lasting friendship after meeting as cast members of a St. Louis Opera Theatre production of Mozart's "Abduction from the Seraglio."
"Some singers play those games, and some don't," Shafer said. "Jenny and I are two singers who don't. We were able to form this friendship because we are both so down-to-earth."
Imperious, temperamental divas are becoming rarer in the opera world, although they still exist. "I think the business is becoming less tolerant of it," she said. "[Opera presenters] want people who are easy to work with these days, but that attitude will never be gone entirely. It often happens with singers who tend to be insecure. Jenny and I both feel secure with the decisions we've made. We don't feel we've got anything to prove, so we're pretty laid-back."
Shafer and Welch-Babidge discovered many commonalities as they became acquainted on the "Seraglio" set in St. Louis: Both had Utah connections and shared Mormon beliefs, and both were in the early months of pregnancy at the time. "When you do an opera, you get to know your colleagues and you talk," Shafer said. "With some, you really make a connection, and we just made a super connection."
The two singers had brought their husbands along for "Seraglio's" rehearsal weeks, and the couples became friends. They traveled together to see historical sites in the area, with the Babidges' toddler son's car-seat wedged between the Shafers in the backseat of Babidge's small car.
Memories were made while driving along, sharing picnics and seeing sights.
The two singers offered empathy to each other as they dealt with early pregnancy symptoms, and cemented their friendship onstage, where Welch-Babidge sang the role of Constanza and Shafer sang Blonda.
Welch-Babidge remembers feeling that her personal connection with Nelson added an extra dimension to "Seraglio" scenes in which servant-girl Blonda offers support and comfort to Constanza, the abducted heroine.
"There was a different level because we did have a comradeship and a friendship in addition to what was happening with the characters," she said. "It was fun, and nice."
The "Opera Hits!" evening will be a grand reunion. Besides featuring the dually devoted divas, it features Darrell Babidge in its baritone roles. Ryan MacPherson, who sang opposite Shafer in Utah Opera's 2012 production of "Rigoletto," will sing the tenor roles.
Conductor Jerry Steichen said Shafer and MacPherson were a big success together in "Rigoletto," and he's happy to be reuniting them. He's also looking forward to introducing the DVMF audience to mezzo-soprano Sishel Claverie, a former participant in Utah Opera's apprentice program who sings at opera houses around the United States now.
"She's an amazing mezzo and a real spitfire onstage," Steichen said of Claverie. "From the moment she walks on, singing Carmen's 'Habanera,' people are going to love her."
Steichen will introduce selections on the show, verbally setting the stage for familiar tunes such as "Maria" from "West Side Story," selections from "Tosca" and "Il Trovatore's" Anvil Chorus — "with real anvils," he promised.
Shafer has her share of solo arias during the evening, but is also anticipating the trio "Hab mir gelobt" from "Der Rosenkavalier," in which she matches voices with Welch-Babidge, the diva she calls friend.
And Welch-Babidge said she has double reason to anticipate the evening.
"I'm just happy to get a chance to see Celena. We are both so busy, and it's been a long time. I always love singing with my husband, too."
Aria ready?
The 2012 Deer Valley Music Festival presents "Opera Hits!"
With • The Utah Symphony, conductor Jerry Steichen, the Utah Symphony Chorus, sopranos Celena Shafer and Jennifer Welch-Babidge, mezzo Sishel Claverie, tenor Ryan MacPherson and baritone Darrell Babidge.
When • July 20, 7:30 p.m.
Where • Deer Valley Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater
Tickets • $27 for the lawn, $38 and $65 for reserved seating, $10 to students with valid student ID (all tickets $5 more on concert day). Call 801-533-NOTE or visit http://www.deervalleymusicfestival.org. Visit http://www.deervalleymusicfestival.org/tickets for concert packages and other discounts.