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'Opera singers, they're just like you': Christine Goerke on drawing power from self-doubt in COC's Elektra

Soprano Christine Goerke talks about how she gets into the right head space to play one of the most difficult roles in opera, Elektra.
CBC Radio ·
Christine Goerke with host Tom Power in the q studio in Toronto, Ont. (Vivian Rashotte/CBC)

Christine Goerke is a soprano with the stamina to sing some of the hardest roles in opera. In her latest role for the Canadian Opera Company, Goerke has to wail, scream and spiral into madness.

Elektra is an opera about a woman trying to avenge the death of her father. Goerke sings as the title character, Elektra, who is obsessive, furious and notoriously tough to play. 

Christine Goerke as Elektra and Wilhelm Schwinghammer as Orest in the Canadian Opera Company’s production of Elektra. (Michael Cooper)

Goerke joined Tom Power in the q studio to talk about how she gets into the right head space to play the part and how she draws power from self-doubt. 

"I don't think that there's ever a moment that I will ever not doubt myself in some way," said Goerke. "The day that I feel like I've got it all under control on stage is the day I'm going to stop growing, and the day I'm going to stop looking for something new in a role, something new on stage, or something new that I can bring to an audience."

Elektra is running now until Feb. 22, 2019 in Toronto.

— Produced by Vanessa Greco

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