Boy soprano Michael Kepler Meo coming to L.A. Opera

Michael Kepler Meo may be living the life. He’s only 12, but the young opera singer has traveled across the county -- and beyond -- to perform. While most kids his age are plopped in desks or wandering the halls of a middle school, he’s in rehearsal. He’s immersing himself in a character, singing his lines in a soprano voice, practicing for his big performance. (He appears next weekend in L.A. Opera's "The Turn of the Screw.")

It can seem glamorous, maybe. It also requires a lot of hard work. His voice is what muscles are to a bodybuilder, Michael said. He begins his day with a warm drink at breakfast to help warm up his vocal cords. He has three hours of rehearsals each day. Then it’s on to his studies with his mother. (In his spare time, he said, he likes to read -- he’s really into fantasy.)

His career has taken him from his hometown of Portland, Ore., to Houston, St. Louis and elsewhere. He has learned along the way that making friends and keeping in touch with them is a must. “It’s really good to make friends; it has really paid off,” Michael said.

So, how do these friendships happen?

“You live your normal life and wait until someone nice, or someone your age, comes along -- and you become friends with them,” he said -- simple as that!

His work is an ambitious extension of his antics as an attention-seeking youngster. It’s “just on a greater scale,” he said, “from the living room to the stage.” For more on the boy soprano, click here.

-- Rick Rojas

 

Photo: Michael Kepler Meo. Credit: Christina House / For The Times

Comments

[Geo.]

Young Master MKM did a fine job as Charlie in OTSL's production of "The Golden Ticket", and based on that, I'm sure he'll do well in "The Turn of the Screw". Hopefully he'll continue to maintain his good sense about singing and stagework, and not let it all go to his head.

[Christy]

I would love to see him. Seems like a wonderful, down-to-earth 12-year-old.

I remember all the hoopla about America's Got Talent's Jackie Evancho being the "youngest ever opera singer" and being listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Even putting aside the fact that Ms. Evancho has never sung in an opera, wouldn't Michael actually have earned that title by age since he started more than two years ago?

[Mike's mom]

Coincidentally, Mike auditioned for America's Got Talent in Portland recently with a Baroque string ensemble named I Ragazzi, a group of talented players also his age. They were called back to become contestants on the show, but we just couldn't get the schedule to work out; they were in full Turn of the Screw rehearsal here in LA, so we had to let that opportunity go.
No worries about it going to his head, George. He is as decent and normal a kid as they come. He never mentions his opera work unless someone asks.
Christy, hopefully you can see him in LA, but if by chance you live in NY or St. Louis, you can see him there this spring/summer.
Just before we left Portland he recorded a CD, it's release is TBA.