Wheaton singer has appeared in 'Magic Flute' 7 times

At age 33, Wheaton native and operatic bass-baritone David Govertsen has already appeared in seven different productions of Mozart's popular 1791 opera “The Magic Flute.”

Govertsen's latest “Magic Flute” stint is in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's current revival, where he is a first-year member of the company's Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center for young artists.

Govertsen sings the small role of the Second Armored Man in Act II, but he also understudies the role of The Speaker (which he performed for the production's dress rehearsal this past December).

“It's the opera that keeps coming up in the places I've been singing,” Govertsen said, adding that he first sang in a “Magic Flute” for DuPage Opera Theatre in Glen Ellyn in 2001.

“It's not getting old,” he says, “it's still a great piece to do and I'm glad to do it one more time.”

Growing up, Govertsen didn't set his sights on pursuing a career in opera. Instead, he got his start in music playing trombone at Glenbard South High School in Glen Ellyn. He later majored in music education at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and had a public school teaching career in Park Ridge.

“It was a great job and I loved what I was doing,” Govertsen said. “But I also had time to sing in town and I started auditioning for bigger things and getting bigger engagements.”

When Govertsen was accepted into Central City Opera's Artists Training Program in Colorado during a summer break in 2008, he decided that operatic singing was something he might try pursuing full time. He later got his master's degree in vocal performance from Northwestern University in 2011, right before entering the Lyric's Ryan Opera Center.

“He's got a good voice and his technique is in very good shape,” Ryan Opera Center manager Dan Novak said.

That Govertsen is tall, good-looking and “moves well onstage” doesn't hurt either, Novak said. “The other thing is he's just a really nice guy.”

With Lyric Opera of Chicago, Govertsen gets specialized voice lessons, training in acting and languages and master classes with opera greats, all the while being on salary for the season. He also appears onstage in smaller roles (his Lyric debut was as the whip-wielding Nikitich in “Boris Gudonov”) and he understudies major roles.

“You have exposure on a completely different level from a smaller company where the people who come to hear the productions are the international singers, agents, managers and artistic directors,” Govertsen said. “If I were to strike out on my own and try to get those auditions, I would be flying all over the place and paying for accompanists, but that's all a part of what we do here.”

And being an understudy offers the rare chance to go on and make a big splash. Govertsen mentions how previous Ryan Opera Center singers like Erin Wall and Wayne Tigges saw their careers skyrocket once they famously went on for indisposed stars at the Lyric. But Govertsen is also aware how much luck is involved in the business.

“Being a performer is kind of a volatile choice for a career. It's not exactly great job security,” Govertsen said, noting how he and his wife hope to start a family soon. “But I count myself really lucky to be doing this right now and if it keeps going that way, that's great.”

After “The Magic Flute,” Govertsen is set to understudy roles in “Aida” and “Rinaldo” for the Lyric, and he will continue on with the Ryan Opera Center through the 2012-13 season.

But there's also a remote possibility of yet another go at “The Magic Flute” when Chicago Opera Theater presents director Diane Paulus' production this September — assuming it doesn't conflict with his duties at the Lyric.

“If (outgoing Chicago Opera Theater general director) Brian Dickie wants to hire me and the scheduling works out, I would love to do it,” Govertsen said. “I'm always happy to do another ‘Magic Flute.'”

“The Magic Flute”

<b>Location:</b> Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. (312) 332-2244 ext. 5600 or lyricopera.org

<b>Showtimes:</b> 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, Wednesday, Jan. 11, Saturday, Jan. 14, and 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22

<b>Tickets:</b> $49-$254