The baritone singer Morgan Smith discusses his role of Starbuck, Captain Abab’s first mate in the opera “Moby-Dick” and points out his favorite musical themes and scenes in a video interview.
“I think the best melodies, best music, is music that seems familiar upon first hearing and yet you’ve never heard before,” says Smith about the work of “Moby-Dick” composer Jake Heggie. “Jake has an incredible knack for doing that.”
Among Smith’s favorite musical themes is that of the whaling ship the Pequod.
“There are very American folk, shanty-like tunes that evoke the seascape. One of those tunes for me is the Pequod theme, which we hear when Pip is lost after the ‘first lowering’ when the boats appear to chase after that whale. It’s such a bittersweet melody,” says Smith.
