Singer Spotlight: Abigail Rethwisch

https://www.abigailrethwisch.com/

Tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from? What is your educational and musical background?

I grew up in Iowa City, IA in a big family that sang and played instruments together. Cantoring at church from a young age was where I gained comfort singing in front of people. I received my B.M. from Simpson College in Music Education, which was were I really fell in love with opera - playing French Horn in the pit! I also had the opportunity to work in the office of Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) for four years where I learned a lot about the administrative and behind-the-scenes side of the opera world. I took a year off after my undergraduate degree and taught before going to graduate school at Florida State University.

What is one thing you wish you had known as a young singer and why?

I wish I had focused more on telling a story and connecting with people, rather than making sure I was doing everything "correctly.”

Tell us about an obstacle you have faced during your career and how you overcame it.

Finances are certainly challenging in this career at any stage. It is expensive to pursue a singing career and most will never make a lot of money. Finances are a constant source of anxiety, even when things are going well. I have struggled to follow an exact budget, because it was too difficult for me to predict how much I would need to spend on career-related expenses. What has worked for me is always saving as much as I can, picking up as many side-hustles as possible, and avoiding a "treat-myself" mentality so that I can treat myself by retiring someday. :)

What is one role or piece you could perform over and over and never get tired of?

Lucia di Lammermoor!

If you could only give one piece of advice to a young singer, what would it be?

You can't wait for this career to happen for you; you have to make it happen for yourself.

Is there anything you spent too much time stressing over that didn't end up being a big deal?

I have spent way too much time worrying about what I wear to an audition or what font to use on my resume, or whether or not I sent the best recordings for that application...The list goes on and on. In the end, all of these things matter a little, but the most important thing is that you go into the audition room and make art.

Where can we catch you performing next?

The Dallas Opera's Magic Flute, Oct 18 - Nov 6. I will be singing Papagena!