Jump directly to the content
Dick Staub

The Dick Staub Interview

Ben Heppner

The acclaimed dramatic tenor speaks about getting into opera, his faith, and P.O.D.


Ben Heppner has been called the finest dramatic tenor of our time. He's acclaimed in music capitals around the world for his beautiful voice, intelligent musicianship, and sparkling, dramatic sense. Last year, his recording of Berlioz's Les Troyens won the Grammy Award for both Best Opera Recording and Best Overall Classical Recording.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, he's also committed to his family and a devoted follower of Jesus. He's also very interested in the integration of faith and art. Last year, after winning the Chalmers Award (given to Canadians who make outstanding contributions to the arts), he donated the entire $25,000 prize to Brookstone Performing Arts, a Toronto-based theater troupe that connects performing arts with spiritual issues. Heppner's latest CD, Airs Français, was released late last year by Deutsche Grammophon.

How does a kid decide that he's going to be an opera singer when he grows up?

When I went off and left the farm …

Were you really raised on a farm?

Well, for the first eight years.

Milking cows and that kind of stuff?

Well, yeah, when they let me. I really wasn't trained well enough.

I think probably what happened was I don't actually have any marketable skills so, I figured why don't I just be a singer? But I went off to university thinking I could be a music teacher. I somehow wanted to spend my life with music in some way. And the idea of being a performer was the farthest thing from my mind. But when I went there I got sidetracked into the performance program.

And you had already been singing in high school choirs?

Not so much choirs. Where I grew up, singing is something that could get you beat up, not a great acclaim. So I was in the band. I did some singing, mostly through ...

Article Preview

This article is currently available to CT subscribers only.

To continue reading:
LoginorSubscribe

The Dick Staub Interview

Dick Staub

Dick Staub was host of a eponymous daily radio show on Seattle's KGNW and is the author of Too Christian, Too Pagan and The Culturally Savvy Christian. He currently runs The Kindlings, an effort to rekindle the creative, intellectual, and spiritual legacy of Christians in culture. His interviews appeared weekly on our site from 2002 to 2004.


Related Topics:
None
More from Christianity Today
Star Trek Into Darkness

Star Trek Into Darkness

Lots of explosions but not much heart makes this a film that will please most but might leave fans disappointed.
Forgiving Iran

Forgiving Iran

Long before I knew the true God, he helped me release my hatred.
Perdonando a Irán

Perdonando a Irán

Antes de conocer al Dios verdadero, Él me ayudó a liberar mi odio.
Get Instant Access
Christianity Today Magazine
Subscribe now for a year (10 issues) at $24.95 for print, iPad, and instant web access.

International Orders

Comments

This article has no comments
You must be a Christianity Today subscriber to post comments
(on articles open to the public, you must at least register for a free account).
Login
or
Subscribe
or
Register

Don't Miss

Forgiving Iran

Forgiving Iran

Long before I knew the true God, he helped me release my hatred.
Why Willpower Fails

Why Willpower Fails

Your willpower is limited, so use it wisely.

Great Humility

Great Humility

The power of a neglected virtue

more | current issue

Books & Culture

A Measure of Forgiveness

A Measure of Forgiveness

Memories of a British...

Today's Christian Woman

Amy Grant: How Mercy Looks from Here

Amy Grant: How Mercy Looks from Here

The Queen of Christian...

Small Groups

Mental Illness Is Mainstream

Mental Illness Is Mainstream

We must help the one...

Facebook

CT eBooks & Bible Studies


Shopping