I am so grateful to Bianca L. Nica for taking with me the latest issue of Opera Charm Magazine and putting together this beautiful cover story!
What does a first-century opera diva mean for you? What should one have, in terms of skill, knowledge, or even fortune in order to be noticed from the huge number of young talented people that are fighting today for their dream (or what was for you, in your opinion, the plus that brought you to the first league of international opera stars)? Is it enough to only work on your vocal technique?
Of course, there is so much more that goes into being an artist than just a good vocal technique. And there is even more that goes into building a successful career ad trying to navigate the current demands of the business. And the pandemic has made things for many singers even more challenging, There are always a few major factors at play, and one of the most frustrating things about this job is the amount of rejection that you are subjected to. And even if you are a great singer already and you have the tools to succeed you still need to be heard by the right person, at the right time, for the right engagement, and all the stars need to line up for your big "break" If you never have a break like this you can of course still do wonderfully, but you may end up having to really scrape to get by for many years. For the vast majority of singers, they simply run out of time or money, or life eventually points them in another direction. We all know there are many things that can stop a singer from having a "first league" career. But I think the best advice I can give to anyone who wants to make their living making music is that they have to be ready to accept that it is never easy; even at the very top. The passion for the music must never fade, otherwise, there will be enough to discourage them from even trying to stick with it. The love of the art form must never be corrupted, despite any negativity that can be deeply painful. There must be a strength and a vulnerability. In this career, you cannot have only one. You must have both. Now, what is a diva? I have never called myself one nor do I concern myself with trying to BE one. For me, a diva is a person who gives their life to this craft and gains the respect and admiration of those around them. But they don't do it by trying They do it by simply doing.
