Transcript of Cast Audition Interview Recordings, with written notes and impressions. East Bay Opera Company, 2018-2019 Season.

Cadenza Cavalieri, Soprano

Vocal Audition Impression: Ms. Cavalieri has a truly impressive instrument. But I couldn’t help feeling she was…distracted by something? Like someone was calling her name from offstage, and she was trying not to turn and look.

EBO: Welcome, Ms. Cavalieri. We realize this is a bit unorthodox for an audition process, so thank you for humoring us.

CADENZA: Of course, thank you for asking me back. I’m really excited to share my passion for this role with you.

Interviewer notes: tension in her shoulders; enthusiasm in her words, but smile is forced.

EBO: And that’s great, but we actually do these interviews with our call-backs to get to know you outside of performing. We like our cast members to gel off stage as well as on—makes for a smoother production experience—so we do these interviews to see who’d be the best fit.

CADENZA: Right. That makes sense.

Interviewer notes: Smile falters—uncomfortable with idea of needing to fit in with people?

EBO: Let’s start with a couple easy ones, shall we? What’s your favorite treat?

CADENZA: Oh, turtle chocolates. You know, with the caramel and pecans? Although, I won’t turn down anything smooth and chocolatey.

EBO: Do you have any siblings?

CADENZA: I have two older sisters. They’re actually both singing in companies in Italy currently. We haven’t seen each other in a while.

Interviewer notes: Eyes tight when speaking of her sisters. Potential family drama?

EBO: Ok, we know this one is a hard one, but do you have a favorite piece of music?

CADENZA (laughs) That is a hard one; there are too many to choose from. I guess my favorite is whichever one is…speaking to me the most at that moment.

Interviewer notes: Her head twitches to the right, like she’d heard something. Just like in the audition. Odd.

CADENZA: Although “The Flower Duet” from Lakme holds good memories for me. And it’s not opera but “I Love It” by Icona Pop always makes me drive too fast.

EBO: Sorry, I just looked at your last name again. You aren’t related to Ilaria Cavalieri are you? As in the Ilaria Cavalieri?

Interviewer notes: Her face shuts down as soon as I say that name.

CADENZA: Yes.

EBO: And you didn’t mention it before?

CADENZA: I prefer to build my own career, not lean on my mother.

Interviewer notes: Her chin lifts and she holds my gaze, unblinking. In truth, it makes me a little nervous. I don’t think I’d want to get on her bad side.

EBO: Clears throat. Right. Of course. And we certainly wouldn’t let it sway our decision at all.

CADENZA: Of course not.

EBO: Tell us something unusual about you.

CADENZA: Unusual? (nervous laugh) Like what?

Interviewer notes: Her eyes flit to the floor, like she’s checking something. She brings her fingers to her ears, again like she’s hearing something I’m not.

EBO: Uh, never mind. How about hobbies?”

CADENZA: My father worked on sports cars, and he used to take me with him on jobs when I was kid. So, I admit, I still love fast cars and getting engine grease under my fingernails.

EBO: That’s definitely one we haven’t heard yet. (chuckles) I think we’re out of time, but thank you again for coming in. We’ll let you know. **

CADENZA: I look forward to it.

(Chairs scraping. Door opening and closing.)

Interview Impressions: Same feeling as at auditions. Ms. Cavalieri has talent, presence, and an impressive opera lineage. But—and the Board might think I’m crazy when they read these notes—it’s like she’s not quite in the same world as the rest of us. Part of me wishes I could hear whatever she’s hearing.

(Door opens for next interview. End of transcript)

Want to know more about Unraveling Fate?

Lyrical, enchanting, Unraveling Fate is a contemporary romantic fantasy of hidden music magic, a curse no one will name, and a young singer determined to write her own future—no matter what Fate has planned.

Cadenza Cavalieri has one plan: become an opera star on her own terms, and ignore the strange music only she can hear—the bass that thrums up through the ground, the moon that sings like distant strings. So when her estranged mother dangles a career-making role in Venice, Cadenza takes a last-ditch gig singing the national anthem at a racetrack to fund the trip, certain she’s in control of where her life is headed.

She’s wrong. The family she goes to work for knows exactly what the earthsong is, and when the owner’s son turns up out of nowhere claiming to be cursed, the music she’s spent her life ignoring roars to life. Caught between a found family that feels more like home than anything her mother is offering and an ancient evil closing in on the people she’s come to love, Cadenza can no longer pretend the earthsong isn’t hers. She’ll have to master it—or watch her whole world unravel into silence.

Perfect for readers who love:

Secret worlds and a cursed love interest
Music, slow burn romance, and a found family
Lyrical contemporary fantasy with musical magic
Destiny, fated mates, defiance, and an ancient evil

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Meet Kelly Fae Wilson:

Kelly Fae Wilson is an award-winning author of genre-blending, romantic sci-fi and fantasy. Outside of writing, you can find her teaching dance, playing with faeries, or instigating a food fight at the dinner table. She lives with her husband, kids and a plethora of funky pets in Northern Utah.

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