Bravo Cura
Celebrating José Cura--Singer, Conductor, Director
José Cura Biography
The first steps are sometimes awkward, and we often stumble before we learn to run.....
"In 1970, at age 8, Cura's first piano teacher sent him home with a note saying: "Little José is not very interested in music so it might be better if your find him another hobby."
|
|
|
||
|
||||
|
|
|
By 2000, he had conquered the music world.
Never listen to the doubters; always follow your dream.
|
|
Early Musical Background
Born into a music-friendly family, José Cura plays six different instruments. Cura first studied guitar with Juan di Lorenzo. At 15, Cura made his debut as a choral conductor. A year later he began studying composition with Carlos Castro and piano with Zulma Cabrera. In 1982, Cura began studies at the School of Arts of the National University of Rosario to develop his conducting and composition. In 1983 he became assistant conductor for the University choir. The choirmaster (also head of the conservatory) heard Mr. Cura vocalizing jazz improv during a rehearsal and convinced him to begin studying voice. Cura's first public operatic performance was singing 'E lucevan le stelle' (after five voice lessons!) At 21, he won a grant to study at the School of Arts of the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, where he sang for several years in the theatre chorus while continuing his studies of composition and conducting. ** José Cura has composed several works, including religious works such as a Stabat Mater, a Requiem, a children's opera, a ballet based on the story of Pinocchio, and two wonderful numbers on Anhelo. At 22, he appeared in his first opera, Massenet's Manon, in Buenos Aires. He was one of two croupiers in the Act 4 gambling scene and sang. 'Faites vos jeux, messieurs! Faites vox jeux!" His first singing teachers weren't sure what to do with Cura's unique, masculine voice. After a few years of struggling, Cura gave up. He tried a second time (with much more success!) when he was in his mid 20s. He was conducting for a chamber opera group when the lead tenor withdrew. Cura stepped in and was heard by Gustavo Lopez, a tenor from the Colón. The rest is musical history--and the stuff of movies. In 1988 he met Horacio Amauri who taught him the basis of his singing technique. In 1991, José Cura auditioned for a place at the Teatro Colon but didn't get it. Convinced he had much to offer, Cura and his family packed their belongings and moved to Europe. Cura returned to Buenos Aires in triumph for a gala performance in 1994. In 1992 he met the tenor Vittorio Terranova, who instructed him in the Italian operatic style. In February 1992 he made his theatrical debut at Verona, playing the role of the father in Henze's Pollicino. José Cura's first major role was as Jan in the Trieste production of Bibalo's Miss Julie in March 1993. |
|
Career Highlights
1991 |
Moves to Europe (16 April) |
|
|
1993 |
Sings first starring role: Jan in the opera Signorina Julia by Antonio Bibola at the Teatro Giuseppe Verdi in Trieste, Italy |
Professional Debut |
|
1994 |
Wins Operalia in Mexico City (Sept) |
Award |
|
1994 |
Makes American debut in Chicago as Loris Ipanoff in Fedora (Nov) |
US Debut |
|
1994 |
Performs Roberto in Le Villi at the Valle d'Itria Festival in Martina Franca, recorded live and available on CD (first commercial recording) |
First CD |
|
1994 |
Returns to Argentina for gala concert at Teatro Colón (Dec) |
Event |
|
1995 |
Makes English debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in the title role of Stiffelio in the Verdi Festival (June) |
Royal Opera Debut |
|
1995 |
Debuts in Paris at the Paris Opéra Bastille in a new production of Nabucco (Ismaele) |
Opéra Bastille Debut |
|
1995 |
Debuts as Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca in the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago |
Role Debut |
|
1996 |
Takes part in the Melbourne and Sydney show The Puccini Spectacular, which was specially devised for his Australian debut (televised) |
Broadcast |
|
1996 |
Debuts as Samson (signature role) in the Royal Opera House production of Camille Saint-Saëns' Samson et Dalila |
Role Debut |
|
1996 |
Debuts at the Wiener Staatsoper in Tosca |
Staatsoper Debut |
|
1996 |
Sings first Turiddu in the Ravenna Festival production of Cavalleria rusticana (televised and broadcast) |
Broadcast |
|
1996 |
Stars in a BBC documentary Great Composers in honor of Giacomo Puccini, accompanied by Leontina Vaduva and Julia Migenes (Dec) |
Puccini Documentary |
|
1997 |
Debuts at La Scala in Milan as Enzo Grimaldo in Ponchielli's La Gioconda (Jan) |
La Scala Debut |
|
1997 |
Takes on the title role in Verdi's Otello (signature role) in Turin, with the Berlin Philharmonic under Claudio Abbado and with Barbara Frittoli as Desdemona. La Nazione (Florence) ran the headline, 'José Cura: a new Otello is born!' Also becomes the youngest tenor to have his debut in role broadcast on television. (May) |
Role Debut |
|
1997 |
Wins Abbiati Award (the Italian critics' prize) for the category of 'Best male singer' for his performances in two Mascagni operas - Iris in Rome and Cavalleria Rusticana in Ravenna - and in Verdi's Il Corsaro in Turin (June) |
Award |
|
1997 |
Releases first recital CD, Puccini Arias |
First Solo CD |
|
1998 |
Debuts as Radames in the Franco Zefferelli production of Aida during the inaugural season of the New Imperial Theatre (Tokyo); marks the first time an opera production was fully built in Japan |
Role Debut |
|
1998 |
Sings Des Grieux in Puccini's Manon Lescaut at La Scala (released on CD and DVD) |
Role Debut/ CD/DVD |
|
1998 |
Debuts at the Washington Opera (now National Opera) in Samson et Dalila |
Theater Debut |
|
1998 |
Opens the newly refurbished Teatro Massimo in Palermo in Aida |
Event |
|
1998 |
Records Samson et Dalila under baton of Sir Colin Davis |
CD |
|
1998 |
Wins Orphée d'Or from Académie du Disque Lyrique (France) for his recording of Samson et Dalila |
Award |
|
1998 |
Releases Anhelo, second recital CD, full of music from his homeland; first album conducted by Cura; first album to include composition by Cura |
CD |
|
1999 |
Stars as Radames in the first live electronic webcast of an opera--Aida from Verona (June) |
Internet Broadcast |
|
1999 |
Debuts at Met on opening night in Cavalleria Rusticana; first tenor to do so since Caruso in 1902 |
Historic |
|
1999 |
Receives Citizen of Honour by the city of Rosario and title of Professor Honoris Causa from Argentinean University C.A.E.C.E |
Award |
|
1999 |
Records Pagliacci (signature role) with Barbara Frittoli and Simon Keenlyside, conducted by Riccardo Chailly |
CD |
|
1999 |
Wins ECHO Klassik Award as singer of the year for recording of Samson et Dalila (Germany) |
Award |
|
2000 |
Creates Cuibar Productions to manage his career |
Event |
|
2000 |
Headlines in a glorious Otello at The Washington Opera (Feb/Mar) |
First Otello in US |
|
2000 |
Stars as Alfredo in La Traviata a Paris, filmed on location and broadcast live around the world; available on CD (complete and highlights) and DVD |
Event /CD |
|
2000 |
Debuts as Manrico in Il Trovatore at the Teatro Real in Madrid. (Nov) |
Role Debut (staged) |
|
2000 |
Is knighted 'Chevalier de l’Ordre du Cedre' by Lebanese government |
Award |
|
2001 |
Appointed principal guest conductor for the Sinfonia Varsovia (through 2004) |
Event |
|
2001 |
Debuts as Don Carlo in Zurich (Jan) |
Role Debut (Staged) |
|
2001 |
Appears in two highly successful Barbican (London) concerts with Daniela Dessi and the London Symphony Orchestra and releases DVD, A Passion for Verdi (Feb) |
DVD |
|
2001 |
Conducts first concert with Sinfonia Varsovia as principal guest conductor on 25 November |
Conductor |
|
2001 |
Wins Best Artist of the Year, Grup de Liceistes (Barcelona) for single performance of Samson et Dalila at Gran Teatro Liceu |
Award |
|
2002 |
Tapes London production of Il Trovatore in May 2002 for DVD release by BBC (Winter 2002/3) |
DVD |
|
2002 |
Creates own record label, Cuibar Phono Video (CPV) |
Event |
|
2002 |
Records first symphonic CD with Sinfonia Varsovia, Rachmaninov's 2nd (recorded in December 2001 and considered by many to be among the finest recordings ever of this work) and a recital disk, Aurora, (recorded February / March 2002) for release on the Cuibar label. |
CD |
|
2002 |
Wins "Ewa Czeszejko" Sachacka Foundation Award (Poland) |
Award |
|
2003 |
Becomes first tenor in operatic history to conduct an opera (Cavallaria rusticana) on the same evening as he performs in an opera (as Canio in Pagliacci), in Hamburg (Feb) |
Event |
|
2003 |
Debuts as Calaf in Verona; stars in three different operas (Turandot, Carmen, and La Traviata) at the arena (June-July) |
Role Debut |
|
2003 |
Wins Artist of the Year - Catullus Prize (Italy) |
Award |
|
2003 |
Interprets the role of Jean in Massenet's rarely performed opera, Hérodiade, in Vienna |
Rarity |
|
2003 |
Sings in the Opening Ceremony of the Rugby World Cup in Sydney |
Event |
|
2004 |
Conducts first multi-act opera, Verdi's Un ballo in maschera in Piacenza, Italy (Feb) |
Conductor |
|
2004 |
Debuts as Dick Johnson in Puccini's Fanciulla del West in Zurich |
Role Debut |
|
2004 |
Releases Dvořák Centenary Tribute album in early 2004 |
CD |
|
2004 |
Performs Carmen in Seoul's Olympic Stadium in front of an audience of tens of thousands |
Event |
|
2004 |
Runs Olympic torch on island of Oinousses, then sings the Olympic anthems and "Nessun dorma" before performing a very special concert in the Oinousses Amphitheatre (15 July) |
Event |
|
2004 |
Sings at the FIFA Centennial World Player Gala in Zurich Opera House |
Event |
|
2004 |
Becomes Citizen of Honor, Veszprém, Hungary |
Award |
|
2005 |
Debuts at the Deutsch Oper (Berlin) as Canio in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci. |
Deutsch Oper Debut |
|
2005 |
Accepts position as Vice President of British Youth Opera, joining a select group of of artists and patrons taking an active role in supporting the young singers of tomorrow |
Mentor |
|
2005 |
Sings at opening ceremony of the World Games in Duisburg, Germany |
Event |
|
2005 |
Stars as Dick Johnson (signature role) in the opera La fanciulla del West at the Royal opera House Covent Garden, London |
Performance |
|
2005 |
Conducts the Toscanini Orchestra in Rachmaninov's Piano Concert no 2 and Second Symphony (Italy) |
Conductor |
|
2005 |
Wins 'Cittá di Piacenza' prize and becomes Citizen of Honor of Piacenza (Italy) |
Award |
|
2005 |
Is awarded 'Citta di Bavena' Prize from the Festival Umberto Giordano (Italy) |
Award |
|
2005 |
Becomes Patron to the New Devon Opera |
Mentor |
|
2006 |
Conducts Madama Butterfly at the Wiener Staatsoper |
Conductor |
|
2006 |
Wins the 'Enric Granados' prize and the 'Insignia d'or dels Amics de L'Ópera de Lerida' (Spain) |
Award |
|
2006 |
Receives 'Giovanni Zanatello' Prize for best artist of 2005 Verona season (Italy) |
Award |
|
2007 |
Performs lead role in Otello at the Gran Liceu (Barcelona); production is recorded for release on DVD |
DVD |
|
2007 |
Premieres La commedia e finita, an innovative combination of narrative, dance, and opera developed and directed by Maestro Cura, in Rijeka |
First production |
|
2007 |
Returns triumphantly to Argentina for Samson et Dalila, the 50th Anniversary of the Monument to the Flag, and a special concert in Rosario |
Event |
|
2007 |
Premiers Sonetos, a series of songs composed by Cura on Pablo Neruda's lyrics, at the "Mozarteum" of Rosario (Argentina) |
Composer |
|
2007 |
Is named Socio Fundador Honorario by Portuguese Association Against Leukemia (Portugal) |
Award |
|
2007 |
Accepts position as visiting professor of voice at Royal Academy of Music (London) |
Mentor |
|
2007 |
Receives "Award for his professional and culture work all over the world" by the Lebanese Society of Rosario |
Award |
|
2008 |
Is awarded the 'Fundación Teatro Colón' award as the best Argentinian opera singer of 2007 |
Award |
|
2008 |
Debuts as Rodrigue in Massenet's opera Le Cid at the Zurich Opernhaus |
Role Debut |
|
2008 |
Debuts at the San Diego Opera as Canio in Pagliacci |
Theater Debut |
|
2008 |
Publishes first book of photography, Espontáneas, published by Cuibar / Scheidegger & Spiess. Holds first photographic exhibition at the Tuscan Sun Festival in Cortona (Italy) |
Photographer |
|
2008 |
Serves as both director and set designer for Verdi's Un ballo in maschera at the Köln opera house |
Multi-role |
|
2008 |
Stars as title character in Puccini's rarely produced second opera, Edgar, restored to its original four act structure; performance is broadcast and recorded for release on DVD |
Rarity |
|
2009 |
Is selected by the 'Fundación Konex' as one of the best 100 Argentinian artists of the last 10 years in the category of Male singers (1999 - 2008). |
Award |
|
2009 |
Performs as both Turiddu in Cavalleria rustica and Canio in Pagliacci at the Zurich Opernhaus; performances are recorded for release on DVD |
DVD |
|
2009 |
Is awarded the Career Medal by the 'Fondazione Ugo Becattini' (Emilia Romagna, Italy) as one of the most complete contemporary artists |
Award |
|
2009 |
Conducts the Danubia Orchestra Óbuda (Budapest) in Bach's B Minor Mass |
Conductor / Symphonic |
|
2009 |
Conducts La rondine at Teatro Comunale, Bologna |
Conductor / Opera |
|
2009 |
Holds multi-day master class, then conducts master class concert in Nancy |
Mentor |
|
2009 |
Donates 2000 compact disks to support the work of the NGO Padrinos Asturian, a charity group whose primary purpose is the sponsorship of underprivileged children and their full integration into society. The organization is headquartered in Oviedo with branches in Colombia and the United States |
Mentor |
|
2009 |
Joins the "TCK-TCK-TCK: Time for Climate Justice" campaign, an initiative of the Global Humanitarian Forum |
Mentor |
|
2010 |
Stars in Met production of Stiffelio, the first star-driven staging in the theater since 1993. |
Event |
|
2010 |
Headlines the Budapest Opera Ball |
Event |
|
2010 |
Stars as Rodolpho in Puccini's La Bohème in Zurich, role debut in fully staged performance |
Role Debut |
|
2010 |
Performs first concert in South Korea at the Aram Concert Hall, Goyang (Seoul) |
Performance |
|
2010 |
Designs set, directs production, and stars in Samson et Dalila in Karlsruhe |
Multi-role |
|
2010 |
Receives the prestigious "Österreicher Kammersänger" award by the Wiener Staatsoper on 2 December. The prize, literally meaning "Chamber singer", is an honorific title for distinguished singers which is given in Germany or Austria on the recommendation of relevant national institutions. |
Award |
|
2011 |
Returns to Teatro all Scala for month of Pagliacci |
Broadcast |
|
2011 |
Headlines first Crystal Ball in Bratislava |
Event |
|
2011 |
Stars in South Korea BESETO Opera's first ever production of Samson et Dalila (Seoul) |
Theater Debut |
|
2011 |
Heads cast in Pagliacci in the Revolving Theater at the International Music Festival in Cesky-Krumlov |
Event |
|
2011 |
Leads premiere of Zurich Opera's new production of Otello |
Performance |
|
2011 |
Performs for first time at Royal Danish Opera, starring in Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci |
Theater Debut |
|
2011 |
Returns to Teatro alla Scala after 12 years, singing Canio in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci |
Performance |
|
2012 |
Directs, designs sets and costumes, and conducts La Rondine in Nancy |
Multi-role |
|
2012 |
Releases Samson et Dalila, recorded live at Badische Staatstheatre, as DVD under Arthaus label |
DVD |
|
2012 |
Directs and designs staging for critically acclaimed production of Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci at Opera Royal de Wallonie |
Multi-role |
|
2013 |
Substitutes for sick tenor in Carmen just 24 hours after landing in NYC for month-long starring role in Otello at the Metropolitan Opera |
Event |
|
2013 |
Performs as Stiffelio for first time in appearance at the Monte Carlo Opera |
Theater Debut |
|
2013 |
Stages, directs, and stars in a critically acclaimed production of Otello at the Colón |
Multi-role |
|
2013 |
Returns for the first time to ancestral homeland in Soria for a concert |
Discovery |
|
2013 |
Returns in triumph to Paris for first performance in decade, performing in concert at Salle Pleyel |
Event |
|
2013 |
Headlines sold-out charity concert in first-time appearance in Palace of Arts, Budapest |
Mentor |
|
2014 |
Stars in the Swedish opera production of Andrea Chénier |
Performance |
|
2014 |
Thrills Berlin audience in a series of "Festival América del Sur" concerts |
Legacy |
|
2014 |
Brings audience to their feet during stellar concert at Théâtre antique d'Orange |
Broadcast |
|
2014 |
Performs in open-air production of Tosca before live audience of 15,000; performance was broadcast |
Event |
|
2014 |
Performs at Bolshoi for first time at Gala in honor of Elena Obratszova |
Broadcast |
|
2014 |
Premieres Stabat Mater, composed as part of larger oratorio Ecce homo / Behold the man |
Composer |
|
2015 |
Stars in hugely successful cross-over concert with Mahó Andrea in Budapest |
Event |
|
2015 |
Conducts first Mahler work (Mahler 2º Symphony) in Nowy Sacz, Poland |
Conducting Event |
|
2015 |
Brings acclaimed production of Cavalleria rusticana / Pagliacci to Teatro Colón, stars as Canio |
Multi-role |
|
2015 |
Receives “Mención de Honor Senador Domingo Faustino Sarmiento” in tribute to his career inside and outside the country by Argentine National Senate |
Award |
|
2015 |
Conducts free 'appreciation' concert at Buenos Aires' Centro Cultural Kirchner, featuring his co-stars from his Teatro Colón's production of Cav/Pag |
Conducting Event |
|
2015 |
World premiere of Cura's Magnificat at Teatro Massimo di Catania |
Composer |
|
2015 |
Performs signature role in Samson et Dalila to great acclaim at the National Theater in Beijing, China |
Theater debut |
|
2015 |
Creates a uniquely Scandinavian La Bohème , incorporating historic Swedish artists into a seamless rendition, leading to critical approval: "José Cura is indeed a phenomenon. This Bohème is grossly entertaining... All in all an utterly satisfying production." |
Multi-role |
|
2015 |
Began his prestigious three-year artist in residence with the Prague Orchestra FOK with a program of works the he composed as settings for poems by poet Pablo Neruda |
Artist in Residence |
|
2015 |
Conducted the Beethoven Academy Orchestra for an evening declared to have been ‘an important artistic event,’ focusing on Polish music in Krakow |
Conducting Event |
|
2016 |
Wins La Fundació del Bàsquet Català recognition for on-going support to the youth of Barcelona |
Award |
|
2016 |
Conducted Otello in concert (also designed the staging and directed) in a 5,500 seat arena in Gyor. |
Event |
|
2016 |
Stars as Otello in Salzburg Easter Festival production, marking the first time appearing at this international known spectacle |
Festival Debut |
|
2016 |
Does triple duty at the Dubrovnik Festival: opened the event as conductor in a wide-ranging symphonic concert, followed that as tenor in a gala concert, and finished the week as a photographer with an exhibition of his work: Espontáneas. |
Triple Threat
|
|
2016 |
Reconocimiento del Ministerio de Educación de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires |
Award |
|
2016 |
Creates new Turandot for Opéra Royal de Wallonie (Liège), designing the staging, directing, and starring in a critically acclaimed production |
Multi-role success |
|
2017 |
Presents world premiere of his oratorio Ecce Homo in Prague |
Composer/performer |
|
2017 |
Stars in his first Wagner, Tannhäuser, at Opéra de Monte-Carlo in the original Paris version in French, earning glowing reviews: "passionate and generous,” “sensational,” “shines as much with the liquidity of the timbre of his voice as he does by his technical ability,” “conquered yet another role brilliantly,” “undeniably moving." |
First Wagner |
|
2017 |
Receives the Onegin Award based on his career-spanning creative collaborative relationship with Russia, becoming the first non-Russian artist to receive the honor |
Award |
|
2017 |
Presents a personal vision of Peter Grimes, designing the set and directing as well as starring in a production that created a transformative vision of the stranger among us |
First English-language role |
|
2017 |
Following a highly successful run as Andrea Chénier at Teatro Colón, receives the title of ‘Honorary Professor’ from the National University of Rosario |
Award |
|
2017 |
Presents world premieres of Modus (the Kyrie of his Requiem Mass) as well as the symphonic version of Ariel Ramirez’s famous Misa Criolla and Navidad Nuestra |
Composer |
|
2018 |
Brings his Canio to Muscat, Oman, in an Opera Rome production in an effort to introduce opera to the country |
Theater debut |
|
2018 |
Creates a stylized Nabucco for Prague Opera using color and costumes as reference points and a unique stage framing that directed attention to the action point of each scene |
Director
|
|
2018 |
A Cura production of Cav/Pag is offered in San Francisco, the first time one of the artist’s works has been presented in the US. |
Production first |
|
2018 |
Produces and conducts La fanciulla del west in Tallinn |
Multi-role |
|
2018 |
Appears in a semi-staged production of Samson et Dalila in St Petersburg as the city celebrated Olga Borodina's 30 years of artistic excellence; broadcast live to an international audience |
Event |
|
2019 |
Serves as jury member for BBC Cardiff Singer of the World and offers master class |
Jury Member / Master Class |
|
2019 |
Becomes first ever Principle Guest Artist for the Hungarian Radio Arts Group |
Guest Artist |
|
2019 |
Wins the László Bíró Award in Budapest for furthering the relationship between Argentina and Hungary |
Award |
|
2019 |
Serves as special jury member for the Concorso Internazionale di Canto Lirico "Vittorio Terranova" in Milan |
Jury Member |
|
2020 |
Releases Tributo a la Reina Batata, a series of children songs written by Maria Elana Walsh |
Tenor / Producer |
|
2020 |
European Cultural Award for Social Engagement |
Award |
|
2020 |
Chairs vocal competition and conducts follow-on concert in honor of Kamen Chanev (Povdiv) |
Competition Chair |
|
2020 |
Conducts world premiere of Montezuma and the Red Priest written by Cura as an "opera buffa ma non troppo” |
Composer / Conductor |
|
2021 |
Premiers his Te Deum while conducting the London Philharmonia during the Enescu festival |
Composer / conductor |
|
2021 | Offers Mastering the Voice and follow-on concert in Gozo Malta | Masterclass | |
2021 |
Premiers his Concierto para un Resurgir for guitar and orchestra in Saarbrücken |
Composer / conductor |
|
2022 |
Conducts his Requiem Mass, Requiem æternam, for triple choir, soloists and orchestra, in Budapest |
Composer / conductor |
|
2023 |
Releases the Carlos Guastavino Collection, 64 Songs for Piano and Voice in Four Volumes |
Tenor / Producer |
|
2023 | Directs, designs staging, oversees lighting and costumes and stars in Tosca for Teatru Manoel, Malt | Multi-role | |
2023 | Directs, design staging and steps in to replace original tenor for opening night in Tosca for Jyske Opera (Danish National Opera) | Multi-role | |
2023 |
Conducts sold-out La Traviata at Teatro Massimo Bellini |
Conductor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Without Make-up: The Real José Cura
From Gay.Tv
He has been on the stages of theatres the world over. These days, he also gives himself to conducting. Here’s a look at his private side, at his passions and his fears.
His principal character trait?
Obstinacy.
His principal flaw?
The same: being too stubborn.
Sign of the Zodiac?
Sagittarius. Pisces ascendant.
Superstitions?
Absolutely not.
What did he always want to be when he grew up?
An adult. The kind of man we call “serious”; in reality I have remained the perpetual child.
Ever screamed revenge?
Only in operas. In real life, that doesn’t lead to anything.
The book that has left a mark on you?
The Mediocre Man. A book by José Ingenieros, an Argentinean philosopher. I reread some chapters, some parts of it often.
What is lacking the most in your life at present?
Certainly the time for everything that I do and would like to do. It seems to me that I never have enough of it.
What importance do you attribute to money?
I believe the right and proper one: I have known how it is to live without and now that, thank God, I’m not wanting, I realize there is a great deal of difference.
What are you worried about?
It bothers me to think of not being present for what’s going on in my family, however big or small these things may be: from my son’s ballgame to my teenage daughter’s first love. In essence, it worries me to be an absentee father.
What kind of authority and power would you like to have? A political role?
Political; absolutely not! I have been offered posts as artistic director and other positions in the music field, but at present, I intend to make more music, to sing and conduct.
Who or what embarrasses you?
More than embarrassed I feel irritated about those who consider my career for the most part tied to being, shall we say… “fairly good-looking”. I believe that I have proven myself a serious professional, the ‘afterlife’, so to speak, of my strengths and weaknesses. My looks already show the marks of time. I’m getting greyer all the time; the process is relentless.
The circumstance that’s the most relaxing and calming?
To be at home….I also would like to succeed in staying put at the house for 15 days in a row!
Favorite subject in school?
I must confess that I did not like school much. I used to be an ‘anarchist’; I used to escape the rules that school imposes on you. However, I mainly loved subjects that dealt with the humanities.
Favorite city?
I don’t have a favorite city. I am a citizen of the world. A true gypsy.
Favorite color?
Red.
The ideal vacation?
To be at home.
Day or night person?
With the type work I do, I find myself living at night to a great extend. But by nature, I am not a night owl.
The film you like best?
I have always liked Spielberg’s “Hook” very much and still do. As a father, it has made me think a lot, and I would recommend it to all fathers.
The season of the year?
Spring.
Your relationship to food?
A note of regret. Just now that I have gone on a diet again, it is a, shall we say…delicate subject. It is clear that I have a very good relationship with food.
Favorite dish?
Nothing fancy. Plain pasta but literally smothered in aged Parmesan…you could say that I eat Parmesan with a little pasta for decoration.
Red or white wine?
Red wine for sure. I would say a full-bodied wine like the “Barolo”.
And in your dressing room?
I’m Spartan. No particular object. Only a bottle of water and one of tea.
How would you want to die?
If possible of old age, but I would add two options: one-an “heroic” death, battling an illness. The other, let’s say, an ‘easier’ and more painless death: in my sleep.
Your frame of mind at present?
Positive to the max.
Your motto?
Carpe diem—Seize the day and make the most of it.
|
Last Updated: Sunday, July 28, 2024 © Copyright: Kira