In only six years Gweneth Bean has established herself as a noteworthy presence on many opera stages. For three seasons she has performed at the Metropolitan Opera (and will soon be seen in the PBS broadcast of the
”Ring”); before that she appeared with Chicago Opera Theater in the 1986
”Susannah” and 1985 ”The Crucible,” as well as with Lyric Opera (where she studied at the Opera Center for American Artists).
To hear her voice you`d think Bean was destined to sing opera. But it happened almost by accident. Bean: ”I was working as a nurse at Weiss Memorial Hospital and I saw an ad for a job in the Lyric Opera chorus. I thought that would be fun, so I went there in my nurse`s outfit to audition and waited while 20 other altos sang in their pretty dresses.
”I was the last to perform and had to use my music since I didn`t know anything from memory. They told me I was a true contralto, which is the lowest woman`s voice and a pretty rare one.”
In 1984 Bean gave up nursing for a career in opera-and eventually the Met. ”But I really miss Chicago and someday hope to broaden my career enough so I can live here.”
Returning to take part in Chicago Opera Theater`s ambitious and authentic Shubert Theatre revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein`s ”Carousel” (which stars Gloria Capone and Louis Otey, pictured below), Bean sings the role of Nettie Fowler, heroine Julie Jordan`s older and wiser companion. Along with singing
”June Is Busting Out All Over,” and ”You`ll Never Walk Alone,” Nettie feelingly consoles Capone`s now widowed Julie.
For Bean it`s as if they`re playing her song. ” `You`ll Never Walk Alone` has always been special to me; I`ve sung it in church all my life. Nettie is a very nurturing character; I`m used to that from my nursing. It`s a very emotional moment; even in rehearsals people have been in tears. I just have to stay strong throughout. The trick is not to be carried away by its power.”
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”Carousel” runs through June 22 at the Shubert Theatre, 22 W. Monroe St.; 663-0048.
