Artist Spotlight: Q&A with Schaunard
OPERA San Antonio’s production of La Bohème is well underway, and with our artists arriving very soon for rehearsal, we wanted you to get to know who will be singing on the Tobin stage next month.
Baritone Andrew McLaughlin will be singing the role of Schaunard in our production of La Bohème. Andrew is praised for his artful interpretations of opera, oratorio, and art song repertoire. A frequent performer with Washington National Opera, he appeared in roles such as Brian Young in An American Soldier, Rex in An American Man, the Spanish Sailor in Moby Dick, and in their production of Carmen.
We’ve asked Andrew a series of questions and below are his answers. We think you’ll enjoy reading them as much as we did!
Q: When did you start singing?
A: When I was 8 years old – in the children’s choir at church.
Q: WHY did you start singing?
A: I played piano first and then became obsessed with Billy Joel and Elton John. I wanted to sing and play at the same time like they did, so I started singing!
Q: Which singer inspired you the most growing up?
A: Leontyne Price
Q: Which singer do you most admire now?
A: Joshua Hopkins (a wonderful colleague and a stunning talent whose career I’ve enjoyed following over the last several years).
Q: What’s your favorite role?
A: Figaro from Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia
Q: What role can you not wait to sing?
A: Silvio from Ruggero’s Pagliacci
Q: What’s your favorite opera to watch?
A: Puccini's Turandot
Q: What’s your favorite role right now?
A: Charlie from Heggie’s Three Decembers
Q: Who is your favorite composer?
A: I have two! Puccini and Heggie
Q: Who is your favorite writer?
A: Maya Angelou
Q: Who is your favorite actor?
A: Meryl Streep
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: Humans of New York (Stories)
Q: What is your favorite film?
A: Anything from Marvel Studios
Q: What was your proudest moment?
A: Performing the Brahms Requiem at Carnegie Hall
Q: When and where were you happiest?
A: When I graduated from Grad School (first in my family to do it).
Q: What is your greatest fear?
A: Failing
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A: I really wish I enjoyed working out.
Q: What is your most treasured possession?
A: I have many, but one is a beautiful (healthy!) African violet plant that belonged to my great-grandmother.
Q: On what occasion do you lie?
A: When my partner asks me how many cookies I ate from the cookie jar!
Q: If you weren’t an opera singer, what career would you choose?
A: Psychologist or Entertainment Agent
Q: Favorite place to spend your paycheck?
A: A bakery or café!
Q: “People might be surprised to know that I……?”
A: Am intensely competitive
Q: “On my day off, I like to….?”
A: Explore whatever city I’m in – especially neighborhoods with vintage or antique markets.
Q: “In five years, I’ll be….?”
A: 35!
Q: What TV show do you make sure you watch?
A: RuPaul’s Drag Race
Q: Which artist takes up the most space in your iTunes?
A: Whitney Houston and Beyoncé
Q: What movie do you never turn off if you come across it on TV?
A: The Devil Wears Prada
Q: Which celebrity would you want to have over for dinner?
A: Oprah
Q: Last book you read?
A: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (a nerdy non-fiction about team building in the workplace)
Q: Interesting brush with the law?
A: I once got a bloody nose while driving a rental car on the highway in Dallas, TX. It’s dry there! I had no tissues and naturally sped to the next exit so that I didn’t ruin the car’s interior. I was promptly pulled over by an officer…explained my situation…he didn’t care…my shirt and the car ended up looking like a crime scene. And I still got a speeding ticket!
Thank you for letting us get a sneak peek into your life, Andrew!
To watch Andrew McLaughlin bring Schaunard to life, come and see OPERA San Antonio’s La Bohème, performing in the H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center on May 17th and 19th. To purchase tickets, visit us at operasa.org or call the Box Office at (210) 223-8624.