Artist-in-Residence Milena Kitic prepares for a new LA Opera season and a signature role

On grand stages from Los Angeles to Baltimore to Belgrade and back again, mezzo-soprano Milena Kitic has performed in the title role of Carmen to much critical acclaim. But as she prepares for a new LA Opera production in September, she says the role remains as fresh and exciting for her as when she first met the challenge some 15 years ago.

In part, she credits the students she teaches as artist-in-residence in the
William D. Hall and Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Conservatory of Music at Chapman University
.

“Teaching has opened up completely new horizons for me,” says Kitic, a native of Serbia who since 2007 has worked one-on-one with opera students in the College of Performing Arts. “Through teaching, I observe my own technique with a new perspective. Together we learn from each other, and I benefit from their enthusiasm.”

Recently Kitic signed with LA Opera for the 2013-14 season. In addition to performing in
Carmen
on Sept. 28, she will appear in the run of
Thais
with famed tenor Placido Domingo, whom Kitic calls “a big inspiration.”

“It is a huge honor for all of us who have worked with him,” she adds, “and it will be a great experience to work with him again.”

Kitic’s most recent performance with LA Opera was in a 2012 production of
Madame Butterfly
, which was attended by some of her Chapman students. They learned, among other things, “that singers are not machines, that we are not always perfect,” Kitic says. “They learned what it takes to perform on a big stage, in a huge environment. They learned what it will be like for them when they are professionals.”

To learn more about LA Opera and its 2013-14 season, visit the company’s
website
.