This Valentine's Day we asked soprano Patricia Racette and mezzo-soprano Beth Clayton about the joys and challenges of sharing their profession and their life — plus, top tips for long-lasting love.
Do you have any Valentine’s Day traditions?
Patricia: Prepare to be either 'awed' or 'gagged' — so many days of the year are Valentine's Day for us. Most of our almost 21 years together have been spent apart on V-Day, so we have opted out of any expectations for the actual day.
Did music play a role in your love story? If so, how?
The short and long answer would be YES! We got together in Santa Fe while both singing in La Traviata. So, yes, that was a full-on musical situation that actually changed the outcome of that opera, since Violetta ended up: a) alive and b) going home with Flora!
What is a piece of classical music that is especially romantic to both of you, and why?
See above answer. Additionally, Beth would say that one of the times that I have been most romantic is compiling a playlist of various versions of Elgar's Enigma Variations, No. 10. She LOVES that piece.
What’s a hobby you enjoy together that has nothing to do with music?
Being in our kitchen together ... experimenting with new recipes, forging new versions of cocktails, and then curling up for some TV down time!
How do you get through long periods of separation when you’re both performing?
Bless the channels of technology that have allowed us to Skype/Viber/Whatsapp/WHATEVER connect at the weirdest time zone splits ever! A nine-hour difference was the hardest but doable — one person starting the day and one person taking a hot bath 4,000 miles away!
How do you get through long periods of working closely together (if you do)?
Since our careers have never been based on working together on stage, if you will, it was never a really big deal. As a couple, we are MOST happy when we can be in proximity and support each other with whatever one or the other is most engaged in. We have always called it "wifing" with the utmost respect to what the privilege of using that word even means — as in, whoever is on the “hottest” seat ideally gets some extra help and support in the daily grind!
What is your top tip for long-lasting love?
Communicating no matter what your mood may be and being grateful that we both LOVE a good laugh and a sense of humor at pretty much EVERY juncture.
