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On July 22 the much awaited performance of American composer Leonard Bernstein’s Candide is being presented by the Fondation de Malte in collaboration with the National Orchestra and Voices choir, as part of the summer arts festival – Festival Malta 2005, organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts. The opera’s music director is Michael Laus and the producers are Mario Frendo and Davinia Galea. It is being held on a Friday, at the Atrium, Valletta Waterfront at 8.30pm. All ticket proceeds will go in aid of Integra Foundation. Subsequently, Elisabeth: or To be a Mann, another opera production by Davinia Galea and Mario Frendo. will be held on Wednesday 3rd August. The opera libretto is by Peter Serracino Inglott, music by Charles Camilleri, stage direction Mario Frendo, and the art director is Norbert Francis Attard. This will be followed by Chamber Music performed by Medit Chamber Players at Valletta Waterfront, at 8.30pm. The soprano, Rosabelle Bianchi, who is to play Paquette in Candide and the main role of Elizabeth in Elizabeth or To be a Mann, tells us more about herself and the upcoming performances.
When did you discover the gift of your voice and realised you would pursue a career in opera?
My love for Opera started when at the age of six years I watched my first opera on TV, which I later discovered was Madame Butterfly. I was stunned by the beauty of the singers’ voices. As time went by my interest in opera grew. This was thanks to a friend of mine who got fascinated by my voice when I first sang in my parish church at Qormi – St. George. I was 15 years old and since then I have never regretted anything, not even the smallest or biggest sacrifice I had to make to study and improve day by day.
Where did you train as a soprano and under which music directors?
I entered the Johann Strauss School of Music at the age of 17 under the tuition of Hungarian Soprano Alice Horne but for the past five years I have been training with Mezzo-Soprano Clare Massa and presently I still do. I had the opportunity to work with local and foreign music directors and they transmitted to me the best of their interpretations. One of the most exciting experiences in life is learning and every individual helps you enrich your knowledge.
Are there any musical or operatic legends you look up to and who inspire you to take your vocal repertoire that one step further each time, giving the audience the widest range possible of a soprano’s capability?
My favourite opera composer is Giacomo Puccini. I love all his operas. All of his Soprano roles are extremely challenging both in technique and interpretation. I am still young but I am a hard worker especially with my voice studies and look forward to achieve the voice ability to give satisfying and outstanding performances in such ambitious roles. In order to achieve high scores in life one needs to be very patient and persevere.
In a synopsis about Candide it says that the main underlying message is about making the most of life – how do you relate to this message, and are there any subtler messages that come across throughout the performance?
In every opera the performer, as well as the audience, adapts messages to oneself differently, messages that relate to one’s own personal experience in today’s world. In my opinion Paquette’s role in this opera focuses mostly on making the best of life in every situation. This message is particularly made evident in the text sung by the quartet Cunegonde, Candide, Maximilian and Paquette: ‘We have learned and understood, everything that is good, every thing that is planned, is wisely planned is right and good.’ Amongst other messages this one struck me and every time I sing it or read it my mind leads me to think about what we take for granted: God’s perfection in his creations and plans reserved for each and every one of us.
How do you switch off from performing one character and tune into the next role?
That is one of the most difficult things a performer faces. The performer does not only switch off by changing clothes and the name of the role but also the thoughts, attitude and emotions. All this leads up to a completely different method of interpretation and it’s very hard. Once I study the roles in text and music I try distinguishing the differences between the roles and do whatever possible to make each and every role my own.
Could you give us some details about To be a Mann’s theme and storyline, and how would you describe Elizabeth’s persona? What is her relationship with her father like?
Briefly, the storyline is about the investigation of the relationship between Thomas Mann, who won a Nobel prize for literature ,and his relationship with his daughter Elizabeth Mann Borgese. I describe Elizabeth as the woman that wanted to distinguish herself with her own abilities, trying hard to express her ideas and beliefs. The phrase that she utters in Act IV ‘Humans must respect the nature of the non-human’ is a clear statement of deep sensibility, especially towards animals, which are sometimes treated with cruelty by us human beings.
Have you been assured that the Atrium in the new Valletta Waterfront has suitable acoustics and is this usually a big concern for the performers when trying out somewhere relatively new?
Well! Personally speaking one of my biggest worries when engaged to perform is to look for the right place with the right acoustics, since for us opera singers it is of vital importance. I have confidence in the professional work of the organisers of these performances and I know that they will do their utmost to take care of every single detail.
Does being a soprano provide your main creative fulfilment in life?
A talent and the success it brings can’t be considered as the fulfilment in life but since it’s one amongst other precious gifts from God, it helps us express ourselves through our abilities for the satisfaction of oneself and others.
Are there any opera singers or music composers you particularly enjoy and would like to recommend to our readers?
When I listen to opera on CDs, I look for versions given by different singers, male or female. There are extremely good singers to listen to, but I particularly fancy Renee Fleming and Placido Domingo. As I have already said Puccini is my favourite one, but besides that I enjoy listening to Shostakovich’s music.
What type of books do you keep by your bedside and find hard to put down?
Instead of reading books I prefer listening to classical music or operas or even polyphonic music but when I look for an interesting book I go for history.
Most exotic travel destination ever visited?
I adore travelling but I haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit any exotic place. I have been to Austria, Scotland, Italy and France and I fell in love with Scotland’s marvellous and peaceful countryside.
And last of all, any forbidden fruits on the night before a performance?
Well, as far as I know there aren’t any forbidden fruits on the night before a performance! I make sure I eat healthy food with a good amount of carbohydrates during the day, take a piece of plain chocolate more or less an hour or more before the performance for energy and drink water, strictly not cold.
Rosabelle Bianchi was talking to Erika Brincat
Tickets for Candide are on sale from The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts at 230 Republic Street, Valletta, Tel: 21 245168 (opening hours on Mondays to Fridays from 8.00am to 12.00pm), or from the Booking Office at St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Valletta Tel: 21 223200 (opening hours from 10.00am to 9.00pm daily). Ticket prices are at Lm10, and Lm8.00 and for students and senior citizens Lm7.00. The Lm8.00 tickets will be on tiered scaffolding towards the back of the Atrium. Further information can be obtained from the website of Fondation de Malte: www.fondationdemalte.org or one may call on tel. 7985 5017 or 9989 2928. For more information about cultural activities in Malta, one may log on to www.maltaculture.com
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