ETERI LAMORIS (SOPRANO) INTERVIEW FOR "ART OF LIFE" MAGAZINE
(TRANSLATION FROM SPANISH)

guess that this is not the first time you've been asked this question: how many years have you practiced your vocal art?

Lets start off by talking about who I started practicing with. My mother, Lamara Cicognia, without a doubt she played the major role in my becoming professional. She started to teach me singing when I was three. At ten I sang Rosina's aria for my family. So I was psychologically and professionally ready for the stage when I was rather young, although my physical development wasn't as advanced. At seventeen I panicked, sensing how fast time flies, I was in such a hurry, but couldn't help myself, since my voice was still of a child and not fully developed.

Certainly you've gotten this far due to your hard work, and your scenic and vocal talents. But don't you think that luck plays an important part in an artist's life as well?

Sure, but my greatest luck was to be born precisely into the family where I was born and where I grew up.

And who else do you have to thank for your success?

There are a lot of people who have played a priceless role in my life. Pianists, singers, conductors and even my schoolmate, who has nothing to do with music. There were people who supported me when I needed it most. I can't name all of them. I would like to say that I am very grateful that fate is constantly giving me chances to meet extraordinary people who enrich my life by communicating with me. I think this is the most wonderful gift that life can give to a person, besides a family and a job.

You break the stereotype of female opera singers who always stand out by their excessive weight.

Well, that is not exactly true. There are more and more opera singers of my type. It's just when you see a "balloon" on stage instead of a feeble Violetta, it shocks the public and stays in their memories for a long time.

How do you take criticism? Do you agree that it plays a positive role in a musician's life?

Definitely, but everything must have a honorable tone. Bacon once said: "People with many flaws first notice them in others." Excessive criticism to me is a sign of provincialism, especially when the good is left unnoticed. Performing art is very tricky and it is virtually impossible to be perfect in every respects, especially when you are talking about such a fragile instrument as one's voice.

What can you say about the role of a teacher in a singer's life?

A teacher's role is priceless, especially at the beginning of the road. In order to find your own style it is important to listen to your intuition and your fantasies, and listen to records. My mom played a huge role in my life. Sometimes unsuccessful singers overestimate the role of a teacher, blaming him or her for all of their misfortunes. It's silly, since even the most ingenious teacher can't help you if you were born with a "sound defect" or you have "non-vocal thinking."

For many opera singers singing is their purpose in life. What does it mean for you?

To me singing is a tool for self expression and a way of having a spiritually rich life. It's a lot. The purpose in life I see as children.

What do you think needs to be done to attract youth to opera?

Well, it's impossible just to take young people and attract them to opera. Love for opera needs to be planted from childhood. You could compare it to an exquisite delicacy, the taste for which cannot be appreciated at once. Also it is important what opera was first heard in childhood and who sang it. By the way, interest in opera is growing in the world, including among young people.

What quality do you appreciate in people? What do you despise?

I love inherent magnanimity, the ability to understand and to forgive. I don't like cruelty, prejudice and hypocrisy.

What advice would you give to novice singers?

To change their occupation as soon as possible.

Is it a joke?

Yes and no. I think everybody has to think hard before dedicating his or her life to this profession. This is a very hard road and in the case of failure you risk being traumatized forever.

If you had Aladdin's Lamp what would you ask the Genie for?

Eternal life and youth for all honest people.

Are you an optimist?

I used to be an optimist during my school years. Now I accept optimism with my mind as a way of preserving my sanity. I'll tell you more, even death I don't consider as a tragic event. For some, death is a punishment, for some - it's a reward and a beginning of new, maybe more perfect life.

What do you dread the most in life?

The inner emptiness. Here, in the Western World, it is so easy to lose your emotions to the crazy pace of life, abundance of gadgets, decorative beauty, excessive foods and entertainment. Here you can become a "fat cat" and stop in your development. That is why all masterpieces were created in poverty. I often recall the following words of Maugham: "The limitation of desires is no less passionate than submission to passions." When I completely submit myself to life's conveniences I find myself unable to work.

How did you meet Zeffirelli? In a couple of words, what is your experience of working with him?

Franco Zeffirelli! I can't limit myself to talking about him in just a couple of words. He is an amazing human being. We met four years ago in Siviglia, when I was invited to the infamous Teatro alla Scala production of "La Boheme." The part of Musetta was difficult for me because it required me to act the part of a promiscuous, easy woman who is quick to react, where as I'm naturally shy. But then Franco opened me up with just one phrase: "Give me the fire of a woman". At the premier I gave everything I had. A year later I was called up and told that Zeffirelli wanted to see me in his performance in Naples at Puccini's anniversary. There he proclaimed me the best Musetta he'd ever seen. After that I was invited to take part in his productions more than once. Another reason why I'll remember the productions in Naples for my whole life is that I celebrated New Year at his mansion near Naples where he invited a lot of his friends. His servants accommodated me in one of his private residences right on the shore with an ocean view, overlooking an island with a villa which had belonged to Nureyev. It was so beautiful: Everything, starting with the interior decor and the way Franco addressed me had a 19th century atmosphere: "How did my princess sleep?", "Bring some wine to my princess!" Franco has an amazing ability to be in tune with another person's soul at a distance, he doesn't even need words. However, Naples has left me with not all pleasant memories. The management of the Naples theater tried to arrange their own candidate for the part of Musetta. They sent me a rejection note and informed Zeffirelli about this. Franco gave them an ultimatum: "Either Lamoris comes or I leave!" I took the last flight there and had just enough time to be at the recital. Obviously, this was an outstanding move on the maestro's part. Usually, famous people in our world are big time-servers and "politicians". I think that getting along with everyone doesn't necessarily mean you are smart. It's only a ruse. Being extraordinary is an ability to express yourself even if somebody might not like it. Before my departure I came to his dressing room to thank him for his support. He said: "No, not me - your talent is your support." I closed the door behind myself and finally cried. I just really wanted to believe what he had said.

Who among your stage partners impressed you the most?

I think Luis Lima and Denyce Graves: Visits with Luis Lima will always stay in my memory because they were my first performances in Europe after I moved to Spain for a permanent residence. I can say that he sort of "blessed" me at the beginning of my career, gave me encouragement and reassurance. I sang the part of Micaela in Carmen then, and he performed the part of Jose. When I sang the part of Musetta he was a wonderful Rodolfo. He is one of my few partners that impressed me with his romanticism and sensitivity. During the performances I noticed, in amazement, that Lima, playing the part of Jose, unnoticed to the public, kept talking to me in French during pauses in our performance never losing his character's "image". After the play he left a touching note on our photo: "I am convinced the future has many new opportunities for us. Our friendship and your talent make me happy." It has been seven years since our last performance together, but somehow I feel that his prediction will be fulfilled. Another unforgettable memory is meeting Carmen - wonderful mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves. Extraordinarily limber, sensational, with sex appeal and so emotional. A real gypsy temperament, I often remember her.

Do you have a motto that justified itself the most?

Now I do, purely professional. It is an ability to distinguish between the important and the secondary, and treat the important as if it were secondary. I think that the role of a profession in our lives shouldn't be overestimated, no matter how important it is for you. In any event it is better than tying a warm scarf around your own neck and depriving yourself of ice-cream for years, thinking about what a great deed you are doing for mankind.

What quality should a singer posses to sing well?

A singer should have a mind and a soul, because the voice is actually not the one who sings. It is important to plant in yourself the most honorable feelings, not changing yourself for pitiful intrigues. Timbre is the soul. The more beautiful the soul the more beautiful and free the sound is. It is impossible to be peevish and at the same time sing at a good level the magnificent aria of Rodolfo from "La Boheme" or Lucia from "Lucia di Lammermoor".

Do you consider yourself a happy person and what does happiness mean to you?

Someone once said that a person is never as happy or unhappy as it seems to that person. Not long ago I was at the funeral of a famous Spanish film director Pilar Miro who died unexpectedly of a heart attack. I used to know her. Just a few days before she died I saw her laughing... After the sermon, my friend said wisely, with his natural Spanish ease while patting me on my shoulder: "Oh, Eteri! The most important thing in this life is to find happiness. However, it is of no importance what brings you happiness, whether it's work, hobby or personal life...".