The legendary Catalan opera singer returned to Hungary this year as a jury member of the Virtuosos talent show, which celebrates its 10th anniversary, and answered a few questions from Gerda Seres.
As a student, you were preparing to become a chemical engineer. Do you think singing has its own kind of alchemy?
I can’t say for sure, but what I am certain of is that singing from the soul makes people feel better. Music warms our hearts.
You hold masterclasses for young singers, and now, as a member of the Virtuosos jury, you decide on the aptitude of young artists. Do you think talent is always obvious?
Talent is essential for a successful career. Without talent, discipline, and determination, it’s very difficult to achieve anything significant professionally. All my life I knew that discipline is an extremely important part of a singer’s work. I myself lived by that principle.
You are often asked why your repertoire is so extraordinarily wide, and how Neapolitan songs, for example, fit into it. You usually answer that you want to feel good on stage. But apart from discipline and vocation, is it possible for an artist to sing just for their own pleasure?
I cannot imagine life without music, and music-making is my vocation. I often hum to myself, even while walking. A wide repertoire has always been very important to me, because different songs always presented different challenges that I had to overcome.
You have said that as a young singer you received all kinds of advice, and did not follow all of it. But what was the most useful one?
Well, singing is an extremely complex matter. It requires talent, dedication, musicality, the ability to express your innermost feelings, and the discipline I already mentioned. A professional life in music is about maintaining and developing these qualities.
What advice would you give to a young artist starting out?
I would say: follow your feelings, enjoy your work, and try to bring out the best in yourself. But I must add that I always worked with great discipline, which I believe is an important virtue.
Everyone has speculated about what kept the Three Tenors—exceptional singers—together for so many years. Have you discovered the secret?
The secret is very simple! We were friends, and we really enjoyed ourselves whenever we performed together. That kind of friendly rivalry is always a joyful gift.
You have performed in Hungary many times and worked with excellent Hungarian artists. Do you have a particularly memorable experience?
Every single performance in Hungary was a great joy for me. I have wonderful memories of the very warm and knowledgeable audience. Budapest is a very special city with a huge musical tradition.
The original interview was published on kultura.hu.