Mojca Erdmann (soprano)

How would you describe your voice? And how do you think it differs from others?

It is difficult for me to describe my own voice, but I will try… I have a high soprano, my voice is not very voluminous in the way that I could sing very lyrical roles by Wagner.

But I think it is rich of overtones and many people mention it is silvery shimmer.

Quite a few Czech opera fans are familiar especially with one of your teachers, soprano Evelyn Herlitzius. What did you learn from her? Evelyn Herlitzius‘ soprano voice is quite different from yours. Have you ever wanted to sound like her?

I was fourteen years old when I started taking singing lessons – and this was with Evelyn Herlitzius.

She taught me my „first steps“, but she was my teacher for a short time. There was no question at that time about how I would like to sound.

Is there anyone in your profession to whom you are looking up?

There are of course many musicians who are admirable, for example the wonderful conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt. He knows so many things about the works, has a great humor and inspires a lot.

And when I am thinking of opera singers for me Edita Gruberova is an artist who is of course a fantastic singer but also must has chosen her roles always carefully so that she still performs in a wonderful way.

This is a question I am thinking of a lot: How long is it possible to sing as a high soprano? And I think you really have to choose your roles very carefully, that they really suit you.

According to your biohraphy, your carrer is marked by almost a matter-of-course, steep rise. Have things always looked so easy as they seem to from the outside?

I did everything step by step, started very early but never went on too fast.

As a child I learned to play the violin and sang in a children’s choir, so there has been built a proper musical background.

And singing wise I think my first years at the Komische Oper Berlin have been very important for me to build a basic repertoire.

In the fall, you’ll be debuting as Zerlina at the Met. Do you consider that role suitable for such an occasion? I mean, does that role provide enough opportunity to show all that you can do as a singer?

I think the most important thing you can do as a musician is to reach and move your audience, no matter what role you sing. I think this is no question of virtuosity but of honesty and soul. And this I try to transport in the music I am singing, no matter what kind of repertoire.

What do you like most in your current repertoire? Does it also correspond to what you are most comfortable singing?

I like the variety. I love to sing opera, Mozart, Strauss, contemporary music. I like to play different characters on stage. Now Zerlina, in a few months Lulu… But I also like to be on stage just with my pianist, singing Lieder recitals. There I can create my own programs, combine Mozart with Reimann. It is a complete different world when you are alone on stage, you have to use the words and colors of your voice to create a scenery in your own mind and the minds of your audience.

What kind of program are your preparing for your Prague concert?

First of all I am very excited to come to Prague as it will be the first time I am visiting this city.

I will sing a selection of arias by W.A.Mozart and some of his contemporaries which I have recorded for my first cd („Mozart’s Garden“/“Mostly Mozart“) for Deutsche Grammophon.

What engagements will you be moving to after your Prague concert? Are your studying any new roles?

As I already mentioned my next new role will be Lulu by Alban Berg which will take place at the Berlin State Opera, conducted by Daniel Barenboim and staged by Andrea Breth. I look very much forward to this exciting project. I will come back to the Metropolitan Opera New York in the role of Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro in October 2012.

You have an exclusive recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon. What does it mean for you and what does it entail?

Of course the „Yellow label“ is the most important classical music label and it means a lot to me to record for this company. I have wonderful people to work with and what is very important for me is that I can present my own ideas and wishes and be creative.

Would you tell us anything about yourself? What kind of person are you, do you have any hobbies beside singing, how are you as a private person?

I am currently in NYC and love the energy of this city, I am a great fan of vegetarian sushi and I can find it here on every corner. I also like to go to the movies.

As I like sports I am lucky to live here directly on the Riverside Park so I go for jogging along the Hudson River.

Whenever I am at home I try to meet my friends. I love my profession but sometimes it is hard not to see your friends for a long time. But how lucky we are to have skype!

Thank you for the interview.

www.mojcaerdmann.com