Apr 29, 2025
With the curtain down on La Bohème, sisters Ianthe (13) and Daphne (11) Groumoutis, who were both members of the production’s Children’s Chorus, have had a chance to think about their experience.
Ianthe was in Carmen last season and was thrilled to return to the stage for La Bohème.
“Last year I was more nervous, but now that I’ve performed on stage, it gets easier every time,” she relates. “And every single time is incredible.”
In fact, performing with Manitoba Opera has been such a meaningful experience for Ianthe that this year her younger sister, Daphne, joined her in the chorus. “I really wasn’t nervous,” Daphne says about her own MO debut. “I was more excited to finally get to perform.”
Both girls knew they would be working hard through the intense, multi-weeks rehearsal period, which started with learning the music and then moved on to staging. As part of Bohème’s famously crowded, constantly moving second act, which is packed with market vendors, holiday shoppers, café patrons and marching musicians, the girls played children clamouring to see a toymaker and his wares.
Preparing for this seemingly chaotic but carefully choreographed evocation of Paris street life taught the girls a lot. For Ianthe, who also takes part in school plays and musicals, “the most valuable thing I learned was to communicate through singing. It made me a better actor and singer.”
As for Daphne, being part of the 16-member Children’s Chorus was also a lot of fun. “It was an opportunity not just to learn about being an opera performer, but also to make new friends,” she explained. “You meet a lot of people, and you can really connect with them over the music.”
Both girls were fascinated to get an up-close, behind-the-scenes look at all the phases of an opera production. “It was really interesting to see the progression, even from the dress rehearsal to Opening Night,” Ianthe says. “It’s amazing to see how everything comes together.”
That Opening Night feeling of everything finally coming together after weeks of work and preparation has made its impact. “The suspense of being on stage the first night, just before the curtain goes up, it’s such an experience,” Ianthe states. “It’s unique.”
Both girls were also struck by the electrical charge of live performance. Daphne recalls the moment when she looked out and saw the audience: “Having a huge audience just makes things more real,” she feels.
“You’re seeing so many people who are really excited to be there,” Ianthe adds. “And seeing the people so excited makes you excited.”
Daphne would encourage other kids who have a passion for opera to audition for the Children’s Chorus. “You should chase your dream,” she advises.
Ianthe agrees. “If you’re interested in singing, and acting, and just being onstage, it’s like nothing you’ve ever done before,” she says. “Just do it.”
