Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Leigh
Hi Cynthia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Genesis Opera Theatre founder and opera singer, Cynthia Leigh, brings a special presence to the main stage with her committed performances and unique voice. Noted for her control, she has the capacity to sing powerfully in one moment, transcending to an almost invisible wisp of sound in the next. Always the consummate actress, true to the composer and librettist, Ms. Leigh becomes the characters she portrays, inspiring audiences through her deep and varied emotional range.
It has long been a dream of hers to bring her love of opera and theatre to life, in her own company, hence Genesis Opera Theatre was born. Cynthia also has an extensive theater background, having performed in hundreds of musicals and plays throughout Southern California. Recent directing credits include Amahl and the Night Visitors, The Impresario, Goyescas and The Magic Flute.
Genesis Opera Theatre is now in its sixth season, having produced ten operas and several concerts and looks forward to bringing another Amahl and the Night Visitors ,a Christmas Classic, December 20,21,and 22,2024 to the stage in Escondido and San Marcos. Please check our website ,Genesisoperatheatre.com, our FB or Instagram for details.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The performing arts always has its challenges, particularly when you start from scratch. Financial issues are difficult to manage, as one must find funding to pay the talent, musicians, rehearsal space, costumes ,theatre and promo materials. COVID-19 also nearly shut us down as there was no audience for live theatre during that time. Additionally, opera is not as main stream as one might hope and finding new audiences to support the art form isn’t easy.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Apart from being an Impresario, creating her company from nothing ( hence “Genesis”) Cynthia is an accomplished opera singer and performer. See modified bio below.
This season Ms. Leigh sang Magdalene in Magdalene- The Musical with Genesis Opera Theatre. Recent performances include The Mother in Amahl and the Night Vistors,Mme. Goldentrill in The Impresario, Rosario in Goyescas,the title role in Suor Angelica, Nedda in I Pagliacci also with Genesis and the Mother in Genesis Opera Theatre’s inaugural production of Amahl and the Night Visitors Others include Rosario in Goyescas with Independent Opera Company and Despina in Cosi Fan Tutte with Redlands Opera Theater, Leonora in Il Trovatore and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Los Angeles Metropolitan Opera, The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors with Riverside Lyric Opera, Giulietta in The Tales of Hoffmann, Lady-in-Waiting in Macbeth with Independent Opera in Los Angeles and was a featured with Opera Showcase at the National Opera Center in New York City. Other favorites are Violetta in La Traviata and The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors with California Ballet Opera, Mme. Goldentrill in The Impresario and Nella in Gianni Schicchi with Celestial Opera, Rutter’s Requiem with San Diego Festival Orchestra and Chorus, “A Night in the Park” with Bolletta Entertainment, The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute and Lucia in Lucia Di Lammermoor, both with Riverside Lyric Opera.
No stranger to the concert stage, Ms. Leigh’s sacred works include soprano soloist in the Requiems of Fauré, Verdi and Mozart. She has performed throughout California in such venues as San Diego Civic Center, Los Angeles Theater, California Center for the Arts in Escondido, Sherwood Auditorium in La Jolla, Lesher Center in Walnut Creek, Hume Concert Hall in San Francisco and John Steinbeck Theater in Monterey
Cynthia is most proud of using her stage skills, industry contacts and vision to create a performing art experience for others to enjoy. We hope to see you and your friends and family at our shows!
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I used to be a belly dancer and had my own troupe and was a registered nurse for many years, specializing in oncology.
Pricing:
- 25.00-45.00/ticket depending on the show
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.genesisoperatheatre.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genesisopera
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenesisOperaTheatre
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GVxv02uHqA
Image Credits
Bryan Dahl
