As a young girl, Sabrina Langlois loved to sing but suffered from severe stage fright.
It’s a good thing she was able to get over that, since her co-stars in The Secret River also include bears and alligators, but it’s enough to make anyone a little nervous.
The animals will become real-life puppets when Opera Orlando reprises the family-friendly 65-minute chamber opera “The Secret River” at Mead Botanical Gardens on March 6 and 7. This work is special to the opera company, as it was the first work commissioned by the company. This revival celebrates Opera Orlando’s 10th anniversary.
Langlois, who grew up in Port St. Lucie, is honored to be a part of it.
“I’m so excited to be able to share this beautiful story in front of an audience in Orlando,” the 26-year-old said by phone from Los Angeles, where she is currently based.
Based on the children’s book by acclaimed Florida author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and scripted by Mark Campbell, “The Secret River” tells the story of Calpurnia, a young Florida girl whose family faces a crisis of food insecurity. So during her adventures, she discovers the titular waterway and tries to do something about it.
“She’s a very smart girl,” Langlois said. “She was able to bring back all these fish and save her family.”
Calpurnia is braver than Langlois, who is the same age. Like many people, she started singing in church. But when she had to go solo, she couldn’t do it without moral support.
“My mom had to stand in front with me,” she says with a laugh. “It was horrible. It felt like pulling teeth.”
She overcame her stage fright by singing in her high school choir.
“Slowly I started to feel more confident,” she says. “I still get nervous sometimes, but I have some control over it.”
Ms. Langlois caught the attention of Opera Orlando several years ago when she auditioned for its studio artist program. Although she wasn’t selected then, “proof that everything isn’t linear,” she says, she was still impressed.
“When we first heard Sabrina as an applicant for the Studio Artist Program, we were most struck by the beauty of her voice and the sincerity of her performance and presence,” said Opera Orlando General Director Gabriel Preisser. “Although the repertoire that was to be assigned to a studio artist soprano was not suitable for her, we knew that this particular role would suit her, and we were very pleased to accept her offer to take part in this revival of our first commissioned opera.”
Director Pricer can’t wait for audiences to see Langlois as Calpurnia.
“We knew she would be perfect for the role and would capture the youthfulness, curiosity and joy of the character,” he says. “She will be wonderful and will be loved by the young audience we expect to come to the Mead Garden.”
That’s right, the Mead Botanical Garden. “The Secret River” will be performed on the outdoor Globe Stage to emphasize the natural elements of the story. Created by Orlando’s MicheLee Puppets for its 2021 world premiere, “Animals” pops into the audience during the opera’s performance and continues to interact with viewers after the show.
Traditional operatic decorations will also be performed. Don’t worry, the orchestra will be playing music by composer Stella Sun, dancers from the Ines Patricia School of Dance will be on stage, and chairs will be provided for the audience. However, Pricer said opera-goers are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs or picnic blankets if they wish. In a nod to the outdoors, each ticket also includes a bottle of water.
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Langlois is pleased with the unconventional setting. “That way you feel like you’re drawn into the story,” she says. And she is excited to be a part of new works in the opera’s repertoire.
She has a special interest in new and rarely performed works. She recently starred in the comedic role of Zerlina in a new production of the now rarely performed 1830 opera Fra Diavolo for the Pacific Opera Project in Los Angeles.
“It was really interesting,” she says. She enjoyed introducing the character to a new generation of opera viewers. “It’s very freeing to be the first person you see in a role.”
Her other roles in new and innovative operas include Penelope in Kay Lee’s Quake, Dr. Veronica Vera in Grammy Award-winning composer Richard Danielpou’s workshop production of Grand Hotel Tartarus, and soprano soloist in Rhiannon Giddens’ Omar’s Journey at the Ojai Music Festival in California.
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Langlois, who holds a degree in music education from the University of Miami and a master’s degree in music performance from UCLA, has also played more traditional roles, including Despina in Cosi fan tutte, Anne Trulove in The Rake, and Adina in Elisir.
She is also busy with concert and educational work, including a recent stint with the Des Moines Metro Opera in Iowa, giving community and student performances.
“I really appreciated every opportunity,” she says.
Performing in “The Secret River” would bring some important firsts for the young soprano. It will be her first professional performance in her hometown, and the first time her family and friends will see her on a professional stage.
Langlois can’t wait to share Calpurnia’s story.
“She is so courageous and courageous that she takes it upon herself to find a solution to her family’s situation,” she says. “I’m sure many children will be moved by it.”
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. See more entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment or sign up to receive our weekly entertainment newsletter delivered to your email.
“Secret River”
• Location: Mead Botanical Gardens, 1300 South Denning Drive, Winter Park.
• Date and time: March 6-7, 7:30 p.m.
• Price: General admission $31.59. VIP seats with pre-show reception are $125
• Information: operaorlando.org/river26
