An interview with Olga Borodina

Olga Borodina (biography)

What is the most important thing in an opera singer’s career?
To be at ease and to give yourself utterly to your profession, as well as continuing to perfect your performing skills.

Being a professional singer requires a specific regime. Are there any personal techniques you use to stay in peak vocal form?
Not to get mad when you’re disappointed! I live like any normal person.

What would your advice be to young singers who are just starting out in their careers?
To think seriously about the pros and cons. Far from everyone is born to be a star... It’s a gift from God, it’s hard work and it’s loneliness.

You appear in different countries and at different theatres. Which do you like most of all?
The Metropolitan Opera.

Which female role do you consider the most psychologically demanding?
Carmen.

Is there a difference between great Russian opera singers and great western opera singers?
Only in the vocal school and spirituality!

What has your most vivid musical impression been?
Gergiev’s concert in Tskhinvali.

Do you have any favourite roles or composers? Which ones?
The role of Dalila in Samson et Dalila. Do you often attend concerts as a member of the audience?
Only when I’m interested in the performer.

Does music take up all your time or do you still have the strength for anything else?
I have three children who take up any spare time when I’m not working! I love fishing and visiting holy spots.

Are you interested in modern music? Which period do you feel the strongest tie to musically?
I love creative and brilliant music from any age!

What do you think of traditional productions or, on the other hand, experimental decisions?
I like traditional and modern productions as long as there is no stupidity about them.

Which musicians in general and which singers in particular have had the greatest influence on you?
Montserrat Caballé in Bellini’s Norma and Plácido Domingo in Saint-Saëns’ Samson et Dalila.

Over the years, has your relationship with the music you perform changed? Or to music in general?
As the years pass your attitudes and opinions change about everything – that’s normal and good!

With regard to male characters, do you prefer heroic types or lyrical characters?
Both.

Would you say you could do anything a stage director or conductor asked of you, even if it were very unusual?
No.

Which tour or which performance has been the most memorable for you?
There are so many, I couldn’t list them all!

Has your audience changed over the past twenty years?
Yes! It’s got younger! And that’s great!

What would you say your greatest success has been?
My success is that I work doing something I love with great people, living in a great city and having the joy of giving people happiness and spiritual enlightenment.

Are any of your characters remotely like you?
Each of them resembles me in some way.