Starring opposite him is his frequent stage partner Lise Davidsen, who takes on the opera’s title role for her first time at the Met. Ahead of his eagerly anticipated arrival, Freddie De Tommaso spoke about his connection to the touchstone tenor role and the experience of singing mere inches from Davidsen’s “laser beam” of sound.
You’re only 31 years old, but already you’ve tackled roles that many tenors save for later in their careers. How did you know you were ready for this heftier dramatic repertoire?
Freddie De Tommaso: It just felt right in my voice. In the last couple decades, people have really liked to put singers into boxes in terms of what we should sing when, but if you have the voice for the repertoire, you’re going to have the voice at this age. I don’t know why, but my voice maturity has always sounded older than my age. Maybe I’ve smoked too many cigars!
What makes Cavaradossi a particularly good fit for your voice?
It sits generally a bit lower, and then just pops up to the high notes, which suits a heavier voice like mine. And having a bigger voice is important in Puccini because the vocal lines are always doubled in the orchestra. The middle voice needs to roll out easily and loudly and not compete with the orchestra. I also find the character quite interesting. He’s this mix of romanticism and defiant loyalty to his friends and defiance against the regime. He’s a true romantic hero.
What are some musical highlights for you?
The famous arias aside, which are amazing, I really love the duet in the first act with Tosca. And I quite like the scene with Angelotti that comes right after. It’s only three minutes, but it drives the story as Cavaradossi gives him the key to the garden and explains about the secret hiding place. Maybe it’s not the most beautiful music, but it’s so important to the story, and I find it very exciting to sing.
Alongside you in these performances will be a familiar face, soprano Lise Davidsen.
I’m glad to make this debut with her because she’s like the queen of the Met. She’s so familiar with the territory. We’ve known each other a long time and are very close friends, so that makes me feel much more calm. And when you know somebody so well, you have to act less, especially if you’re acting as a romantic partner. I love singing with her. It’s a real treat.
What is it like singing next to her as she’s producing such a powerful sound?
She’s an absolute cannon. She’s got another gear that nobody has. When we’re singing together in unison, I know I’m singing, but I just have her resonance in my head. In our big high notes together, she’s like a blade, like a laser beam, and so I try to give the body to the sound. And hopefully it mixes together and makes a nice sound sandwich.
Freddie De Tommaso in Tosca
Lise Davidsen and Quinn Kelsey in Tosca
Lise Davidsen and Quinn Kelsey in Tosca
Lise Davidsen and Quinn Kelsey in Tosca
Lise Davidsen in Tosca
