Spotlight on Juliet Montgomery

Can you tell us about your role as part of the Young Artists programme at Opera Holland Park?
I am performing the role of Despina in Così fan tutte and I am so excited to play such a confident, sassy and energetic character! She is the worldly wise maid and confidante of Fiordiligi and Dorabella who, together with Don Alfonso, pulls the strings throughout the opera.
You’ll be working on Così fan tutte this summer – what are you most looking forward to about working on this piece?
I can’t wait to explore all of the many comedic possibilities in Così! This is my first time performing a role in an opera like this and I am excited to see how my interpretation of Despina evolves throughout the process.
You have previously worked with Opera Holland Park as part of the OHP Chorus – what is something you learnt that you hope to take into your role?
One of my favourite things about working in the OHP chorus is being part of such a fun, supportive and inspiring group of people so I hope to take this sense of being part of a team and working together to create something really special into my role in Così.
In light of the secrets, disguises and general mischief in Così – have you ever played a prank (or had one played on you) during a show or rehearsal period?
I have never been brave enough to pull a prank on stage but I have had a few played on me, the most memorable being when somebody swapped the frosting that had been made to look like ice cream in a cone for me to eat mid scene with mashed potato! They covered it with sauce, sprinkles and a flake as usual so I didn’t notice until I had taken a big bite. It was absolutely disgusting, but admittedly a very well played prank!
Every performer has had a moment where something doesn’t quite go to plan. Do you have a memorable on-stage mishap?
I was in a production of The Mikado where we had to freeze whilst dancing for Katisha’s big, poignant moment in the Act 1 finale, but my dress got caught mid-twirl on the side of the set, and as I turned I pulled half of the wall of the set down on top of me and my partner! We had to stay there frozen with this (thankfully very light!) faux wall on top of us until the end of the scene when one of the stage managers was able to come and rescue us. We were silently trying to contain our laughter all the way through the freeze, it must have looked very funny to the audience!
Are there any roles you haven’t performed yet that you’d particularly love to take on in the future?
I would love to play Mimi one day, La Bohème is my favourite opera!
What is an opera myth or misconception that you’d like to see debunked?
That opera is no longer relevant. Opera explores some of the most universal and relatable themes of life (love, death, power, jealousy, selflessness, politics, social hierarchy, the list goes on!) and tells timeless stories that can be retold and interpreted in countless different ways!
What’s one piece of advice – musical or otherwise – that has stayed with you?
My first singing teacher always said, ‘keep your blinkers on, but don’t forget to stop and smell the roses’. It is so important to keep focused on your own singing and performing journey and not constantly compare yourself to others, but just as crucial to pause mid-process, appreciate the moment you are in and celebrate how far you have come!
Interview by Holly Bancroft.
Juliet is kindly sponsored by John & Clare Grumbar, and an anonymous donor

Facts Only

* The performer is playing the role of Despina in *Così fan tutte*.
* The performer is working on *Così fan tutte* during the summer.
* The performer is excited to explore the comedic possibilities in the opera.
* The performer hopes to see how the interpretation of Despina evolves during the process.
* The performer learned the value of teamwork from working in the OHP Chorus.
* A memorable mishap occurred during a performance of *The Mikado* when the performer was frozen, and the dress caught on the set, pulling down a faux wall.
* The performer recounted a prank involving mashed potato frosting mid-scene.
* The performer expressed a desire to play Mimi in the future.
* The performer views opera as exploring universal themes like love, death, and power.
* The performer shared advice to keep focus on the performing journey and appreciate the present moment.

Executive Summary

A performer is engaged in the Young Artists programme at Opera Holland Park, taking on the role of Despina in *Così fan tutte*. The performer is excited to explore the comedic possibilities within the opera and anticipates evolving their interpretation of the character. This experience is framed as a learning opportunity, particularly in recognizing the value of teamwork, drawn from previous participation in the OHP Chorus. The performer recounts a memorable, chaotic on-stage mishap involving a production of *The Mikado*, where they were frozen and pulled down a set wall. The performer also shares an anecdote about a prank involving food, highlighting a lighthearted, yet slightly uncomfortable, interaction with fellow performers. The individual expresses a desire to perform other roles, specifically Mimi, and reflects on the universal nature of opera themes and the importance of pausing to appreciate the artistic journey.

Full Take

The narrative traces the tension between the idealized, structured world of high art and the messy, unpredictable reality of human performance. The performer’s excitement stems from embracing the comedic potential of *Così fan tutte*, suggesting a desire to inject personal, dynamic interpretation into a classical framework. This reflects a pattern of seeking agency within established artistic boundaries—using the role not just as a performance, but as a crucible for personal growth. The anecdote concerning the on-stage mishap—a moment of frozen chaos—serves as a powerful counterpoint to the polished nature of opera, demonstrating that the true artistic experience often resides in the accidental, the physical, and the shared laughter that breaks formal constraints. The advice provided—to "stop and smell the roses"—functions as a necessary cognitive defense against the pressure of constant external comparison, cautioning against the gravitational pull of external expectations in creative endeavors. The experience of being part of a team, contrasted with the chaotic nature of the prank, highlights the paradox of collaboration: finding structure and support while navigating inherent unpredictability. This story implies that resilience is not found in perfect execution, but in the ability to integrate the inevitable mishaps and the collective support into a meaningful, evolving whole.

Sentinel — Human

Confidence

The text exhibits strong human signals, characterized by a unique, personal voice and vivid anecdotes, leading to a low synthetic confidence score.