Patricia Norcia has two great passions in her life: performing arts and horses. Last month, she combined them when she trained horses for a performance in an opera, the latest chapter in her performing career.

Earlier this month opera-goers were treated to two special performances of La Passion de Carmen by the Opera Theater of Connecticut. Not only is Carmen one of the most famous operas in the world, it’s also a fan favorite in part due to its use of horses. The beautiful choreographed dancing horses in the Opera Theater of Connecticut’s production, however, are thanks to Patricia’s work training the horses.

“We had two really successful performances with sold out shows,” Patricia says. The idea for the show actually dates back many years.

Patricia moved to Clinton about 20 years ago and one day as she was driving downtown an advertisement for the Clinton-based Opera Theater of Connecticut caught her eye. With a background in performing arts, Patricia’s interest was piqued and when she looked into the Opera Theater of Connecticut, she was surprised to see that it was led by none other than Alan Mann, a person she had worked with during her time in New York.

“We reconnected and then many years later I suggested doing Carmen with horses. They’re fascinating to look at. Eventually we had plans but then, because of COVID, we had to stop,” says Patricia.

However, earlier this year, Patricia says Mann contacted her telling her it was a go.

“I started working on it in March. I got six of my best riders and horses and put it together,” says Patricia.

What Patricia says sets this performance apart was her desire to “make the horses characters, not just ornaments to look at.”

Patricia says the performances went well and that “maybe since it was a success it will be something to do again, but, right now, there are no solid plans.”

Born and raised in Rome to an Italian mother and American father, Patricia’s journey to Clinton is an interesting one.

“I grew up going to a British school in Italy, and I’d speak Italian to my mother and English to my father,” Patricia recalls.

When she was 14, the family moved to Long Island, and as she grew up Patricia began working as an actress and director in New York City.

“I did Broadway, Off-Broadway, soap operas, and many things,” says Patricia.

However besides performing, there was one thing Patricia loved more.

“I always loved horses, and I always was pestering my father to let me ride,” says Patricia with a laugh.

She began riding as a girl, and by time she was an adult, Patricia was being asked to teach riding which she says she was good at and enjoyed.

With the expenses related to keeping horses in New York, not to mention a growing a family of her own, Patricia relocated from New York to Clinton where she opened Idelnot Farm. At the farm, Patricia trains, competes, and performs in dressage.

“You can think of dressage as ballet or Pilates for horses,” explains Patricia.

According to Patricia, dressage has links as far back as the ancient Greeks when soldiers would train their horses to follow military commands. Patricia says during the Renaissance, the art form became more popular and has remained so, even becoming an Olympic sport.

Patricia says she uses Iberian horses, which she calls “the most beautiful horses.” She says it takes eight years to train a horse for dressage and, of course, not all horses can -or want – to be trained for it.

“But when they can, it’s fantastic,” she adds.

“To me, horses represent power and freedom,” Patricia says. Asked her favorite part of working with the horses Patricia says simply “Anything with them is my favorite. Whether it’s mucking the stall or brushing them.”

However, it isn’t all fun and games.

“The hardest part is the physical work,” Patricia makes clear. Due to the demands of riding, Patricia says it’s paramount that riders remain in shape. For Patricia that means a weekly regiment of weight training, yoga, and Pilates. It also means riding the horses at least five days a week no matter if it’s blisteringly cold or 100 degrees.

“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to do this,” says Patricia.

In her spare time Patricia says she enjoys spending time with her kids and attending theater productions. As for her favorite aspect of Clinton, Patricia says she likes the quiet of it along with the ease of access to cities.

“I always loved Vermont. Clinton has a lot of the same beautiful green feel of Vermont, but it’s also halfway between Boston and New York."