She is one of the most sought-after mezzo-sopranos over the past few years, and a riveting actress, which is needed for The Gospel of Mary Magdalene, especially because she is onstage almost the entire opera. She also has an affinity for new music because, she says, she likes to figure it out and it makes her slow down (she’s a quick study). Cooke made a huge impact as Kitty Oppenheimer in John Adams’ Doctor Atomic at the Metropolitan Opera, reprising the role for the English National Opera. She dives into this role with her usual total commitment, as she discusses in the videos below.
Playing Mary Magdalene: Vulnerability and Confidence
Cooke is one of those lucky few who feel freer onstage than anywhere else, which helps in managing the huge arc of this role.
Playing Mary Magdalene: Vulnerability and Confidence on YouTube
The Search for Meaning
Cooke takes a direct path into the character of Mary Magdalene. Here is how she thinks about the character’s central quest, and how it relates to her own life.
The Search for Meaning on YouTube
Developing the Character
It takes two to create intimacy onstage and so it’s a good thing that Cooke and Nathan Gunn were able to bring an established rapport to the project. In this video, Cooke describes the work they did together.
Developing the Character on YouTube