Instagram Story Save

Thanks to everyone who came out for a fun and furry night at Carmen with our very own Escamillo (@cppursell) as his fursona, @chestergeroo
 
Over 60 members of the furry community joined us for Furry Night at Carmen, which included a meet & greet with Chester in costume as Escamillo, and even an impromptu bullfight! 
 
@thestrangerseattle summed up the evening perfectly: 
 
“Opera has a reputation for being a stuffy, upper-class art form, something exclusive, intimidating, and maybe not entirely meant for me. But just as my assumptions about the furry community turned out to be lazy and incomplete, so too were my assumptions about the opera. Furry Night at the Opera reminded me that both are, at their best, invitations: spaces built around passion, community, and the simple joy of sharing an experience with others. Art, it turns out, is for everyone.”

Thanks to everyone who came out for a fun and furry night at Carmen with our very own Escamillo (@cppursell) as his fursona, @chestergeroo
 
Over 60 members of the furry community joined us for Furry Night at Carmen, which included a meet & greet with Chester in costume as Escamillo, and even an impromptu bullfight! 
 
@thestrangerseattle summed up the evening perfectly: 
 
“Opera has a reputation for being a stuffy, upper-class art form, something exclusive, intimidating, and maybe not entirely meant for me. But just as my assumptions about the furry community turned out to be lazy and incomplete, so too were my assumptions about the opera. Furry Night at the Opera reminded me that both are, at their best, invitations: spaces built around passion, community, and the simple joy of sharing an experience with others. Art, it turns out, is for everyone.”

Thanks to everyone who came out for a fun and furry night at Carmen with our very own Escamillo (@cppursell) as his fursona, @chestergeroo
 
Over 60 members of the furry community joined us for Furry Night at Carmen, which included a meet & greet with Chester in costume as Escamillo, and even an impromptu bullfight! 
 
@thestrangerseattle summed up the evening perfectly: 
 
“Opera has a reputation for being a stuffy, upper-class art form, something exclusive, intimidating, and maybe not entirely meant for me. But just as my assumptions about the furry community turned out to be lazy and incomplete, so too were my assumptions about the opera. Furry Night at the Opera reminded me that both are, at their best, invitations: spaces built around passion, community, and the simple joy of sharing an experience with others. Art, it turns out, is for everyone.”

Thanks to everyone who came out for a fun and furry night at Carmen with our very own Escamillo (@cppursell) as his fursona, @chestergeroo
 
Over 60 members of the furry community joined us for Furry Night at Carmen, which included a meet & greet with Chester in costume as Escamillo, and even an impromptu bullfight! 
 
@thestrangerseattle summed up the evening perfectly: 
 
“Opera has a reputation for being a stuffy, upper-class art form, something exclusive, intimidating, and maybe not entirely meant for me. But just as my assumptions about the furry community turned out to be lazy and incomplete, so too were my assumptions about the opera. Furry Night at the Opera reminded me that both are, at their best, invitations: spaces built around passion, community, and the simple joy of sharing an experience with others. Art, it turns out, is for everyone.”

Thanks to everyone who came out for a fun and furry night at Carmen with our very own Escamillo (@cppursell) as his fursona, @chestergeroo
 
Over 60 members of the furry community joined us for Furry Night at Carmen, which included a meet & greet with Chester in costume as Escamillo, and even an impromptu bullfight! 
 
@thestrangerseattle summed up the evening perfectly: 
 
“Opera has a reputation for being a stuffy, upper-class art form, something exclusive, intimidating, and maybe not entirely meant for me. But just as my assumptions about the furry community turned out to be lazy and incomplete, so too were my assumptions about the opera. Furry Night at the Opera reminded me that both are, at their best, invitations: spaces built around passion, community, and the simple joy of sharing an experience with others. Art, it turns out, is for everyone.”

Thanks to everyone who came out for a fun and furry night at Carmen with our very own Escamillo (@cppursell) as his fursona, @chestergeroo
 
Over 60 members of the furry community joined us for Furry Night at Carmen, which included a meet & greet with Chester in costume as Escamillo, and even an impromptu bullfight! 
 
@thestrangerseattle summed up the evening perfectly: 
 
“Opera has a reputation for being a stuffy, upper-class art form, something exclusive, intimidating, and maybe not entirely meant for me. But just as my assumptions about the furry community turned out to be lazy and incomplete, so too were my assumptions about the opera. Furry Night at the Opera reminded me that both are, at their best, invitations: spaces built around passion, community, and the simple joy of sharing an experience with others. Art, it turns out, is for everyone.”

Thanks to everyone who came out for a fun and furry night at Carmen with our very own Escamillo (@cppursell) as his fursona, @chestergeroo
 
Over 60 members of the furry community joined us for Furry Night at Carmen, which included a meet & greet with Chester in costume as Escamillo, and even an impromptu bullfight! 
 
@thestrangerseattle summed up the evening perfectly: 
 
“Opera has a reputation for being a stuffy, upper-class art form, something exclusive, intimidating, and maybe not entirely meant for me. But just as my assumptions about the furry community turned out to be lazy and incomplete, so too were my assumptions about the opera. Furry Night at the Opera reminded me that both are, at their best, invitations: spaces built around passion, community, and the simple joy of sharing an experience with others. Art, it turns out, is for everyone.”

I’m going to miss this crew! With today’s last show it’s a wrap on Seattle Carmen! Good times were had, plenty of yummy food (and coffee!) were consumed and memories made. Best of all the music will keep us floating for months. Toi toi toi for the closing and thank you Seattle!

Hiked "Little Si" trail in North Bend outside Seattle, it got me back into the hiking spirit for this summer!
Gosh only a week left in this beautiful city, I'm soaking up all I can.

Hiked "Little Si" trail in North Bend outside Seattle, it got me back into the hiking spirit for this summer!
Gosh only a week left in this beautiful city, I'm soaking up all I can.

Hiked "Little Si" trail in North Bend outside Seattle, it got me back into the hiking spirit for this summer!
Gosh only a week left in this beautiful city, I'm soaking up all I can.

Hiked "Little Si" trail in North Bend outside Seattle, it got me back into the hiking spirit for this summer!
Gosh only a week left in this beautiful city, I'm soaking up all I can.

"Toréador, love awaits you!" Bass-baritone @cppursell performs the riotous Toréador song for the crowd at Lillas Pastia's in this scene from Carmen.

At the May 16 performance, we'll be hosting Furry Night at the opera, with a special pre-show meet-and-greet with Christian as his fursona, @chestergeroo. Costumes and fursuits welcome!

Learn more about Furry Night at the link in bio.

Opened Carmen @seattleopera this weekend... it's been a very special time out here, especially reuniting with amazing colleagues like @sashamezzomama. I feel lucky to be her first Escamillo. I loved finding new ways to approach the role thanks to @paulcurranopera whom I already miss dearly. Thank you @officialbroadwayworld for the kind words, I worked hard on the delivery!

How the @seattleopera Carmen cast unwinds after a productive rehearsal week - @streamlinetavern is a great local spot, we'll be back!

One of the many joys an opera singer is afforded, is the endless poster signings for our adoring fans. We regularly check in with our hand doctors to avoid carpal tunnel, it's a real chore. #operasingerlife #seattleopera #1stworldproblems

Come see Carmen at @seattleopera May 2-17! Then wait at the stage door after the performance, and we'll sign your poster, program, t-shirt, or child!

I like Seattle a lot :)
Doing Carmen (singing Escamillo) w/ @seattleopera on May 2, 8, 10, 16 - if you're around, come see our show!

I like Seattle a lot :)
Doing Carmen (singing Escamillo) w/ @seattleopera on May 2, 8, 10, 16 - if you're around, come see our show!

I like Seattle a lot :)
Doing Carmen (singing Escamillo) w/ @seattleopera on May 2, 8, 10, 16 - if you're around, come see our show!

My home in New York with my trailer beside.
Reflecting a bit on how wild the last few years have been for me. I've learned so much about myself, my perseverance, and my faults. I'm really grateful for life and the moments I have to rest and appreciate where my path has taken me.

Next is @seattleopera with a special cast of Carmen to get me back into opera gear. It's gonna be a full season of new roles yet again... this time I think I have a firm grip on the horse and I won't fall off.

My experience bringing opera to a talent show taught me so much.
Furry opera began with the goal of performing classical music with my friends. This experience on @gottalenttv led me to realize that @howl_aria is a vehicle for educating kids about all the operatic arts! I can’t wait for what’s next. Truly, I’m on a mission to show people how special opera is, and how they can be a part of it too. 🦊🎼 #operafurry #fursuitfriday #ExperienciaGotTalent #opera

Whether you’re with the love of your life
or learning to love yourself

Happy Valentine’s Day 🖤

Love shows up in many ways
In growth
In the work
In becoming

However you’re spending today
I hope it’s filled with real love
Starting with you ✨

#operasingersofinstagram #valentinesday

Back at the piano, digging into the four villains of Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann for my upcoming Florentine Opera @florentineopera debut 🙌✨!

One voice, four very different characters, all living in the same musical world. Challenging, rewarding, and deeply satisfying work.

Grateful for the process. Focused on the craft. Onward.

🎹🐾

#OperaSinger #TheTalesOfHoffmann #FlorentineOpera #Debut