The rush of landing a lead role in an opera is often quickly replaced by another cocktail of emotions, with elation giving way to nervousness and fatigue.
University Opera reduces the stress and doubles the opportunities for the young singers at UW-Madison by double-casting its starring roles. And “Thaïs,” an opera by Jules Massenet, has a peach of a lead: a charismatic, priest-seducing courtesan with a heart of gold.