THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 1, 1996 TAG: 9602010485
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
SITTING BACKSTAGE at the Harrison Opera House a few days before opening night, John Hurst, one of the opera world's leading tenors, was visibly nervous.
Never mind that he had performed as a guest artist in productions at some of the world's most prestigious opera houses, before some of the most sophisticated audiences and the toughest critics.
In his latest role, as the huntsman Erik in the Virginia Opera Association's current production of ``The Flying Dutchman,'' this Norfolk native would for the first time be singing before his hometown audience.
The thought of having friends, relatives and former classmates hear him perform was surprisingly unsettling to this seasoned veteran.
As opening night approached, he admitted to even being a bit frightened, especially since about 50 friends planned to come en masse.
``It's fun to come back home,'' said Hurst, 45, a Maury High School graduate and former Larchmont resident. ``But it scares me.
``You know, they don't know me as a performer. They're going to say, `Who does he think he is? He can't sing; he's just a swimmer.' ''
Despite Hurst's apprehensions, once he opens his mouth, his old friends will realize he is hardly the same kid who left Norfolk 27 years ago. Now a member of Vienna's prestigious opera company, Volksoper Wein, Hurst has a repertoire that includes roles in ``Idomeneo,'' ``The Magic Flute,'' ``Der Freischtuz,'' ``I Pagliacci,'' ``The Merry Widow'' and other operas.
His talent is undisputed.
But as a native son who never showed any inclinations toward performing until adulthood, coming home again is somewhat daunting.
``I'm a late bloomer,'' Hurst said. ``I was in chorus in high school because it was the only way I could get my average up. I remember my mother had to drag me, kicking and screaming, to the symphony.
``I was on the swim team . . . and I would go to the beach every sunny day. But I never performed in anything until I got into college.''
Upon graduation from Maury, Hurst set off for Brevard College in North Carolina with intentions of studying law. But while at Brevard, he discovered theater, and began performing in student dramas and light-hearted comedies. When the theater department decided to stage a musical, Hurst decided to audition. They gave him the lead and he was hooked.
``I just loved getting all that attention,'' he said.
Hurst never really seriously considered music as a career until he went to Europe to work as public relations official with the United Nations and met the woman who would become his wife. An accomplished singer, she introduced him to classical music. With his interest piqued, Hurst started taking singing lessons in Vienna.
After winning a prestigious Viennese singing competition, Hurst decided to turn his ``hobby'' into his profession. In 1987, he joined the Volksoper Wien as a leading tenor.
``Performing is still as exciting for me as it was when I started,'' he said. ``You get to travel the world and be the center of attraction.''
When Hurst was offered the role in the VOA's production of ``The Flying Dutchman,'' he had no idea that he would be performing in the same facility where he once had attended high school proms and basketball games.
In 1993, Norfolk's aging Center Theater received a multimillion dollar facelift and was transformed into the opulent Harrison Opera House. Before the opera company retained use of it, area high schools, including Maury, would often use the theater and adjoining Norfolk Arena to hold school functions.
Little did Hurst realize that the VOA's backstage would be located where he used to mount bleachers and cheer Maury's athletes onto basketball victory.
``It's really amazing how things have changed,'' he said with a grin.
Although apprehensive about performing before a hometown audience, Hurst had no such feelings about returning to see old friends. The VOA's company manager, Ella Grimes, is one of his former chorus mates, and Hurst and his wife are staying at the Ghent home of an opera patron who just happens to be one of his former cotillion dates.
As for the VOA, ``I have never been in a house that's more like a family than it is here,'' Hurst said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Staff photo by BILL TIERNAN
John Hurst is singing the part of Erik in VOA's ``The Flying
Dutchman.''
Graphic
GOING TO THE OPERA
The Virginia Opera's presentation of Richard Wagner's haunting
drama ``The Flying Dutchman'' will continue this weekend with two
final performances at the Harrison Opera House.
Shows will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday and at 2:30 p.m. on
Sunday.
Sung in German, the Wagnerian opera is filled with romance,
tragedy and one of opera's most startling climaxes. When it
premiered in Dresden in January 1843 with Wagner conducting, ``The
Flying Dutchman'' was an instant success
Ticket prices for the VOA performances range from $12.50 (for
students) to $68. For more information or to reserve seats, call
623-1223.
After closing in Norfolk, the company will take the production to
Richmond's Carpenter Center for two more shows, Feb. 7 and 9. For
information about those performances, call 643-6004.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE BIOGRAPHY OPERA by CNB