Macomb Mom Doubles as Opera Star

Opera singer and Macomb resident Eva Marie Evola was moments away from giving up on her dream. Now, eight years later, Evola and her phenomenal voice are wowing audiences on a grand scale.

Beginning May 14, Eva will be performing the role of Ceprano in the Michigan Opera Theatre's production of Rigoletto at the Detroit Opera House. There will be five performances of the famous Italian opera, running from May 14-22.

While Evola's name can be seen prominently displayed in the program now, her relatively young career nearly ended before it ever began.

As a teen, Evola exhibited talent and promise. She excelled in solo ensemble performances, won the talent portion of a Miss Teen Michigan pageant and attended Chicago's prestigious Columbia College, where she studied musical theater.

Soon after, Evola met her husband, David. Back in Michigan, she decided that starting a family was more important than a singing career ever could be. She turned down opportunities in New York City and Los Angeles in order to raise a family here in Macomb. She became an aesthetician at a salon in nearby Birmingham.

With the pending birth of her first child, Maria, Evola was prepared for a quiet, happy life in the suburbs. Fortunately, a close friend convinced her that a quality home life and a vibrant singing career could co-exist, something Evola didn't think possible.

"I thought I was done," Evola said. "I'm glad I'm not."

Since recommitting herself to opera, Evola's career has taken off. Starting small with performances at an Italian club and lessons with the University of Michigan's Caroline Helton, the reputation of Evola's powerful voice quickly spread. Soon enough, the director of the Michigan Opera Theatre, David DiChiera, requested an audition.

The meeting resulted in Evola being cast in performances of Norma in 2005, Madame Butterfly in 2008 and her upcoming role in Rigoletto. Through the Bellini Opera Theatre, Eva performed with Joseph Calleja in November 2010. Calleja is world-renowned and, in some circles, considered the next Pavarotti.

Evola tempers her recent success with optimism about her future.

"I feel I'm on my way to bigger, better things," she said.

By all accounts, she's right. Following her upcoming Detroit Opera House performance this May, she'll be singing arias and duets with Italian tenor Francesco DeMuro on July 30. For 2012, an Italian tour is planned. Evola will be performing at such historic venues as the Carini Castle and the Cathedral Monreale. Especially important is the concert planned in the small town of Cinisi, the town her grandparents grew up in before leaving for the United States.

Evola's family is young, with Maria, 8, and Michael, 6, in school full-time and Sophia, 3, still at home. The time necessary for rehearsing is often squeezed into the free moments between the demands of her home life.

"Being a mom is full-time," Evola said.

Before her husband, David, built her a soundproof rehearsal space, Evola would stay up until 2 and 3 a.m., long after the kids had gone to bed, rehearsing in the home's laundry room.

It is this determination and talent, nurtured by a robust support system at home, that has enabled Evola the opportunity to both pursue a professional singing career and raise a family. Something she said her peers in the opera world think nearly impossible.

"They tell me I'm so lucky to have the best of both worlds," she said. "And I really do."

Eva Marie Evola will be performing Rigoletto at the Detroit Opera House starting May 14. She is currently nominated in the 2011 Detroit Music Awards' Outstanding Classical Vocalist category.

Download the movie