INTERVIEW FROM THE SINGER MAGAZINE

This Interview with INESSA GALANTE appeared in THE SINGER magazine October 2000

The Singer provides a lively perspective on the world of song, the lives of singers and the demands of the singing profession. Covering opera, cabaret, musicals, gospel, barbershop and choral singing, the magazine brings you event and competition news, star profiles, record reviews, music reviews, health matters and plenty of tips on surviving the profession.

Find out more about The Singer magazine (This link will take you outside the D I Music site)
The interviewer was Jayne Comins, who also has a "Voice Clinic" in the magazine. (This link will take you outside the D I Music site)

WEB SITE NAVIGATION LINKS:
Inessa Galante Menu Page | Main Site Menu | Inessa Galante CD Catalogue | Full Campion Catalogue

THE INTERVIEW:

How old were you when you knew you could sing? Three years old, according to my mother. But around the age of six or seven I can remember imitating any opera singer, whatever their range.

Who encouraged you to sing? Professionals who heard me. I'd decided on a career in medicine, but I was already performing duets with my sister, accompanied by my mother at the piano. My father had a wonderful voice too. My family id not encourage me to talke up this profession, but they did help me a lot.

How would you describe your voice? I try to sing with feeling, from the heart. Rather than concentrating on vocal sound or volume, my emphasis is on colour. So I could describe my voice as 'colourful'.

What do you fear the most? I want to feel needed, to be asked to sing, and to be loved for my personality and personal qualities. It would be terrible not to be wanted.

Which singers do you admire? Maria Callas mostly, but I have similar feelings for Joan Sutherland, Ileana Cortubas, Claudia Muzio, Teresa Stratas, Montserrat Caballe and Leontyne Price.

What would your motto be? Love and Peace

What characteristic do you dislike about yourself? I am probably too soft in my relationships. I am not egotisitical. Too often I can see the other point of view, and so perhaps I am too understanding.

What is your favourite piece of music? Whatever work I'm singing at the moment.

What is your favourite venue, and why? I love old-style music halls and theatres, with good acoustics and atmosphere. I find most opera houses too much like museums.

Describe yourself in three words: Friendly, forgiving, humourous.

If you went to the moon, what would you take with you? My daughter, my cat, friends, music and books.

What is your pet hate? Judas-like betrayers; unfriendly and possessive people.

If you weren't a singer, what would you be? A doctor or psychologist.

What is the best advice you've been given, and who gave it? Nobody has particularly inspired me with advice, but I have learned from reading and life experience that everything comes and goes, so you have to be happy as nothing is forever.

What gives you satisfaction in your work? I like that feeling I get from performing a work well. Best of all is that moment's pause at the end of a piece performed well, before the audience breaks the silence. I love also to hear people shouting 'bravissimo'.

What is your favourite role? It used to be the tragic role in Traviata. Now I think it's Mimi in La Boheme. I also love to sing the Verdi requiem.

What would you like to achieve musically, and why? I'd like to be able to peform well enough to take people into my world; to cleanse them from life's problems, and to make the audience feel the music, not only through their mind, heart and soul, but also through their stomach, feet and sex organs.

How would you like to be remembered? By children and friends, and through my life's work as recorded on CDs and in books. If my singing gives seconds, minutes or hours of something special to someone else, that they retain in their memory, then that would be the best prize of all.

Find out more about The Singer magazine (This link will take you outside the D I Music site)

The interviewer was Jayne Comins, who also has a "Voice Clinic" in the magazine. (This link will take you outside the D I Music site)

WEB SITE NAVIGATION LINKS:

Inessa Galante Menu Page | Main Site Menu | Inessa Galante CD Catalogue | Full Campion Catalogue