Meet & Greet - Nick Garrett

Never mind opening night nerves, although I’m told he doesn’t suffer from them anyway, tonight was definitely the night to make sure your performance was at its best. Tonight the audience was going to be filled with Nick Garrett fans or as Nick prefers to call them, his Inner Sanctum VIP’s.

Nick was playing the role of Laurent in Tobias Picker’s Opera Therese Raquin. Based on the novel by Emile Zola, the opera took on a contemporary twist by combining the classic European literature of Zola with a more modern American operatic score. Sung in English, the story was full of drama and passion, deceit and remorse. Laurent’s character was a highly complex one and therefore quite a challenging role, but one which Nick embraced and excelled in, as the reviews reflect.

I had the opportunity to ask Nick about his thoughts on the opera.

Why did you choose to do this opera?
I loved the story and it was something I could get my teeth into and I felt I could do it justice.

How would you describe Laurent’s Character?
Laurent is a freeloader, slightly psychopathic, passionate, but ultimately vulnerable and flawed.

How do you feel the performances have been received?
People who did not know what to expect I think found it ‘accessible’. They liked the fact that it was sung in English and enjoyed the intimacy of the whole piece. It’s a compelling story and most of my fans that came along had probably not seen me perform this type of role before, so to see me acting was another dimension for them to experience. The reviews I’ve seen so far have been complimentary, but you are never going to please all of the people all of the time, on every aspect of any production.

Have there been any memorable moments during rehearsals or actual performances?
Despite the grim nature of the story we have all tried to keep a sense of humour running throughout the rehearsals and backstage during performances – or else I think we’d all go mad!

Do you think opera attracts a specific audience – If so, what could be done to make it more appealing to a wider group of people?
This is a modern opera and not everyone is going to respond to the music but, with Therese Raquin the music is only half the story – it’s the story itself that makes this piece so effective. You’ll enjoy going to any opera if you have done a little bit of homework…read the original source material, or just listened to a few recordings and then go on to experience it live. You might just surprise yourself and enjoy it more than you think!

Do you have further plans for opera performances this year?
Yes – more later on that!

After the show, the Meet and Greet was held at a local wine bar. The atmosphere was very relaxed and everyone chatted away very easily to each other, despite this being the first time some of them had met. The bar tab was picked up by Nick’s management team, who spent the evening making everyone feel very welcome and at ease and even helped arrange transport home for his VIP’s.

Nick, despite being tired after his performance, spent time with each VIP individually and was happy to sign autographs and posed for endless photos.   Everyone had a wonderful time and Nick played the part of host to perfection. As well as a promising career in music, he’s also a natural comic as he has a great sense of fun which certainly came across.  He’s very gorgeous and lovely to interview.  Think I’ll be a VIP for life!   

I asked him what he made of the whole evening.

What prompted you to arrange tonight’s Meet and Greet?
My fans have been incredibly loyal and supportive and it’s my way of repaying some of that loyalty.

How would you describe the general atmosphere on your website?
Visit it and find out. It seems to have taken on a life of its own which is exactly as it should be and has lots of diverse topics and a fair bit of frivolity too, thank goodness!! Our intention was always to make it the sort of site that fans would enjoy spending time at and not feel intimidated by, somewhere they could hang out and be themselves.

You participate quite actively in forums on your site - any favourite topics?
Captions, Captions, Captions….Garrett’s Gallery is one of my Favourites!

Having had the opportunity to meet some of your Inner Sanctum VIP’s tonight, what do you think of them as a whole and would you recommend this to other artists?
Absolutely I would…but they can’t have my VIP’s…they’ll have to find their own! Seriously though, for me there is nothing better than meeting your fans face to face. Without them you have no career.

As Well as the Meet and Greet, I believe you have arranged special phone calls to two lucky overseas fans who won a competition on your site?
Yes. I’m fortunate to have attracted fans from across the globe and it seemed that they were at a disadvantage on this occasion as they couldn’t get to this first meet and greet. I hope this will go someway to readdress the balance. It doesn’t matter where they live, they should still be able to be a part of what’s going on.

Your fans take a very active role on your website, designing membership cards, suggesting music for your new album and promoting you on other artist’s websites. How important is their input to you?
I’m grateful that my fans not only have ‘discerning’ taste but also have a genuine passion for what I do and believe in me and my music 100%. We’re always open to their suggestions and we do try and make what they want to happen actually happen whenever possible. Too many websites lose that ‘personal’ touch - we don’t intend to let that happen to ours.

When can your VIP’s expect to have their next Meet and Greet?
When I have recovered sufficiently from the last one!

On behalf of ClassicalX, I would like to thank Nick – his management team Nadia Raibin, Carlene Jordan and Hugh O’Malley (their tireless photographer) for a wonderful and memorable evening; they really looked after all their guests in true VIP style. It was a lovely, friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere and I’m sure Nicks fans will be hoping he makes a swift recovery from the last one so that they can do it all over again very soon.

For further feedback from the VIP’s who were there and to see the photographs of the evening visit Nick’s website at www.nickgarrett.net. My hot tip would be for you to become one his VIP’s and get on the guest list for the next one… you won’t be disappointed!

Added: March 18th 2006
Reviewer: Sarah Fahey
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