By Natasha Barbieri
X-Over is a talented husband-wife duo who share a passion for classical crossover music. Nadia Eide’s soprano voice soars to the heights while Michael Storrs’ baritone powerfully anchors them.
NB: Tell us a little bit about how you both became involved in music?
Nadia: Well I grew up playing the classical guitar from the age of 9. My parents met in a rock band in the 70s so Music was always prevalent in our house. Though I could always sing in tune I didn’t start taking lessons until I was 12. And even then, I was too shy to sing fully on my own in my lessons. But obviously found my passion and before too long they had to drag me off the stage. A music degree later and I’m doing it full time!
Michael: I was always surrounded by music at home. Mum is a violin teacher and my dad was a harpsichord maker back then. I played a number of instruments growing up including trumpet and viola. When I was about 16 my school needed boys whose voices had broken to take part in the school musical. And that was my first taste of singing!
NB: When were you first exposed to classical crossover?
Nadia: I was a gymnast and dancer from a young age and had three Sarah Brightman albums I used to choreograph dramatic, contemporary dances my poor parents and brothers and sisters had to sit through every Friday. Think I was about 9 at the time. And Sarah Brightman’s first few albums were great!
Michael: My uncle, who shares the same name as me, worked extensively in the classical crossover recording world. He used to give us the latest Bryn Terfel or Kiri te Kanawa albums fresh off the press for Christmas and birthdays.
NB: Share a little bit about your first meeting together. What came first the friendship or the musical collaboration?
X-Over: We met because we were both recommended by a mutual friend to join a classical crossover quartet. We worked together for a whole summer and eventually got together as a couple. Ironically after that, we spent a couple of years working apart doing various tours individually. We then thought it was crazy we met working together and now we hardly saw each other. And as our voices and looks work well together we thought this could really be an interesting collaboration.
NB: Given the large range of your voice types, is it difficult to find a key that works for both of you?
X-Over: Well just like the old Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals a baritone and soprano combination works incredibly well. Nadia’s voice sits very high and Michael has a gorgeous, rich tone which balances out the mix. We alternate who sings the melody line too as we are both dynamic singers. And we never feel as if we are competing with each other. Think it’s better for the audience’s ears as well and keeps the arrangements interesting.
NB: What are some of the ways musically/and on stage that you both feel you complement each other?
X-Over: Our vocal styles are very similar which helps when picking repertoire. And obviously being a married couple there is a natural chemistry onstage which the audiences always seem to really enjoy. We put a lot of our story of how we met and got married in our show. So, it’s a very personal experience.
NB: For you both individually: do you have a favorite role you have performed and one you haven’t yet but would like to? Are there any musicals/operas you would like to star in together?
Michael: My favorite role I’ve played so far has to be Richard Hannay in the 39 Steps. It was totally different to what I normally do and playing a lead in a fast-paced play like that was a great challenge. Roles I would love to play in the future would be Javert (which I have covered in the West End) and Emile du Becque in South Pacific.
Nadia: I’ve been so lucky to have played so many of my dream roles including Johanna in Sweeney Todd and Mabel in Pirates of Penzance. My dream has always been to play Christine in The Phantom of the Opera and Cunegonde in Candide.
I think both of us are secretly hoping for a Rogers and Hammerstein revival like South Pacific or Carousel which we could play opposite each other.
NB: Have either of you written any music and if not, is this an area you would like to explore in the future?
X-Over: We did have a little go at writing but quickly decided it’s more fun reinventing the classics people know and love.
NB: You have been involved in various ‘big productions’ has it changed the way you aesthetically present a show of your own?
X-Over: It certainly has given us stage experience, resilience and an eye for detail. But standing on stage performing your own ideas is a very different entity. It takes a lot of courage and determination to make it work.
NB: How do you manage your solo schedules as well as your time together as a duo? When you do have downtime, what types of things do you enjoy?
X-Over: We thank our google calendars which sync automatically to our individual iPhones. Like anything, it’s about balance. At the start, we put a lot of time into touring and recording our album for the duo. But we still put a huge emphasis on still being working individuals with our own solo careers. It’s not easy and we don’t get a lot of downtime. But as we are so lucky to travel all over the world and we are both big foodies, we love trying local cuisines and going on adventures. When we are lucky enough to be at home our favorite thing to do is walking our two poodles. It’s a great balance and a great way to feel grounded and relaxed at home.
NB: What is the best piece of inspirational or vocal technical advice you have received?
Nadia: My mum told me ‘No matter what never stop singing’ and my father saying ‘Nadia, first you make the audience love you then you touch their hearts with your voice’
Michael: My singing teacher recently gave me some solid advice and told me to simply ‘Think more Tom Jones’.
Learn more at: xovermusic.com
