October 4, 2005

Campbell girl’s passion for opera shines in ‘The Crucible’

Giovanna Hutchison sets her sights for a life in Opera

By Jeremy Lipps
Staff Writer

Even though Campbell resident Giovanna Hutchison just finished playing the role of Betty Parris in Opera San Jose’s (OSJ) production of “The Crucible,” things are just getting started for her.

Singers in the opera “The Crucible” include, from left, Sandra Rubalcava as Abigail Williams, Christopher Bengochea as Reverend Parris and Giovanna Hutchison as Betty Parris. Photos by Pat Kirk

As a vocal performance student at San Jose State, Hutchison has already signed onto Opera San Jose’s next big production. She might just be San Jose’s next opera star.

She became involved with Opera San Jose after friends familiar with the venue encouraged her to pursue her dreams. She knew she could succeed by starting small, auditioning and getting experience in her art. Having sung in four shows with the opera with another to her credit, although she only grudgingly concedes to it because it was an understudy, Hutchison is firmly dedicated to opera.

Her passion began to develop at Westmont High School. After performing in two musicals as a freshman, including “Phantom of the Opera”, she realized she was drawn to more classical sounds. It was, in fact, “Phantom of the Opera” that initially lured Hutchison to opera. Not long after her freshman year she began to perform with The Lyric Theatre, which produces light opera and operettas.

“The type of music that I liked was more classical. The sounds classical singers made were so beautiful to me,” said Hutchison.

Hutchison says her passion for opera comes from a deep belief in God. It is through the voices of opera singers that she feels “a connection to God through the crystalline notes of opera” she feels God called her to singing.
“I just feel the presence of God when I sing,” she says.

Hutchison’s friends are all supportive and many have come to see her perform.

“They think it’s really cool. They really encourage me. I sing at church and some of my friends had never heard me sing. I sang ‘The Prayer’ and afterwards they all understood why I practice so much,” she said.

Mother and daughter share passion for arts
Hutchison’s mother, Judith, a teacher at Marshall Lane Elementary, is also supportive of her daughter’s passion. As an art history graduate with a year in Florence, and an Italian upbringing, Judith is no stranger to classical arts or to opera.

Giovanna (left) and her mother, Judith Hutchison

“I think it’s wonderful. We’re a musical family, my brother’s a musician, and we’re always singing. I sang to the children when they were babies. Giovanna always responded so well to music, she just got the bug, it’s in her genes,” Judith said.

“She’s going down her own path, that’s what speaks to her. She’s always done her own thing,” continued Judith.
Judith’s spiritual path has been different from her daughter’s. “Giovanna’s faith developed mostly on her own. Being an ex ‘Dead-Head’, as in The Grateful Dead, I appreciate Giovanna’s choices and fully support her singing, her faith and her career aspirations. But we are different!”

It is clear speaking with the younger Hutchison that her heart will guide her on her journey, and she is sure to make waves in the opera world. She has already signed to the next show and expects to be in many more for Opera San Jose.