That’s how mezzo-soprano Stephanie Doche described herself to me during a Zoom call earlier this week to discuss her title role in Pacific Opera Project’s La Cenerentola. Gioachino Rossini’s opera, based on the story of Cinderella, is being performed Friday at The Ford in Los Angeles.

Doche, who pronounces her last name as a rhyme with posh, is tackling this opera for the third time in her career. Being familiar with Pacific Opera Project and Artistic Director Josh Shaw‘s unique way of presenting operas, she knew she wasn’t necessarily embarking on a traditional production.

“I think compared to a lot of POP’s previous productions this is a little more tame. This is a period production. We are wearing period costumes. They are very bright and exciting and kind of campy costumes. So it’s still like POP colors and explosive, exciting presentations. What I love about POP is that they have a really loyal following. They know when they’re going to come see a POP show that they are going to be entertained, there’s going to be Easter eggs and inside jokes from previous and future shows that they have seen and done.”

She hadn’t heard La Cenerentola until three years into her opera studies. But once she did, Doche found a lot to relate to in this telling of Cinderella’s story.

“She’s been through so many difficulties in her life. In the beginning of the opera I’m really just so sad and I’m trying my best to to keep things positive and keep things moving. By the time you finally get to the end and and by the time I am singing Non più mesta, it is just so satisfying to to know that not only am I at a better place, but my family now loves and respects me. I am loved by the prince. To know that I don’t have to try that hard anymore is really so freeing and exciting.”

I asked Doche if society’s re-evaluation of stories through a more thoughtful, or some might say politically correct, lens would render the story of a young woman who needs the love of a prince to become whole one that ultimately diminishes that same young woman.

“Oh, that’s a good question. I think they’re more complex than that. I think that’s a valid viewpoint to have, because the fairy tale that we know, she does rely on friends to help her. It’s a Disney fairytale. It’s her fairy godmother and all of her friends. And in this it’s Alidoro. And what I also love about the opera specifically is that there is a point where I stick up for my family even though they have mistreated me. I tell the prince, in order for us to be together, you need to be kind to my family and I need to have their forgiveness. So I still have a say in my journey and in the outcome for me.”

In the case of this particular production, it’s a short journey for Doche. There will be only the one performance. She fully understands she has to put everything she can into Friday night before it becomes a memory just after the final note of music is played.

“It’s a lot of pressure, but also a lot of very exciting energy to to put on a show that’s one night only because opening has its own kind of energy. And closing, of course, has its own energy. So it’s going to be a really, really thrilling night. Of course, there’s a part of me that wishes I could do this ten times because I love this music and I love this show and I love my cast and I love POP so much. But I do think that there’s something very freeing about knowing that this is the one chance that I get and I’m going to make sure that I do it the best I possibly can and that I enjoy it all at the same time.”

Is there a fairytale ending for Doche and her career?

“I love opera because things are always changing, because my voice is always changing and will continue to change as I age and develop and sing more repertoire. Or even if I sing the same role several times, it will continue to change. People are composing new operas all the time and there’s opportunities to be a part of that change as well. And so the way that I see my dream career is that I hope to have a lot of opportunities to perform with a wide variety of companies and colleagues in lots of places and also a wide variety of repertoire.”

It was then that she paused and reflected on all those people who get down and dirty to create the opera productions in which she appears.

“I really enjoy getting to know people and places and operas and productions that differ from each other because it makes me feel like my life is richer.”

Which sounds just like a fairytale ending for a small company girl.

Tickets for Pacific Opera Project’s La Cenerentola can be purchased here.

Photo: Stephanie Doche and Arnold Livingston Geis in Pacific Opera Project’s La Cenerentola (Courtesy Pacific Opera Project)

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