The Lithuanian-born singer first made a name for herself as a mezzo-soprano, acclaimed particularly for her performances as Kundry in Wagner's Parsifal and Eboli in Verdi's Don Carlos. Following her successful debut as Sieglinde in The Valkyrie at the Bayreuth Festival, her real soprano debut took place in December 2002 when she sang the title role of Gluck's Iphigénie en Aulide under Riccardo Muti to open the new season at La Scala Milan. After that she made many successful debuts as a soprano: Andrea Chénier in Vienna, Macbeth in Sevilla, Tristan and Isolde in Rome, La Gioconda and La forza del destino in London, Tosca in Florence, Ariadne auf Naxos in New York, La Wally at the Vienna Konzerthaus, Norma in Dresden, Don Carlos (Elisabetta) in Turin, Aida in Milan, and Un ballo in maschera in Florence. Her operatic plans include Aida in Milan, Tel Aviv and New York, Tristan and Isolde in Vienna as well as Act Two in concert in Cologne, Tosca in Chicago and New York, her debut in the role of Odabella in Verdi's Attila in New York, Un ballo in maschera in Monte Carlo, Macbeth in Bilbao, La forza del destino in Barcelona, Cavalleria rusticana in Hamburg, Ariadne auf Naxos in New York as well as a number of concerts and song recitals in the important music centres of the world. Violeta Urmana works with all the most eminent conductors of the day. Her great artistry and versatility are demonstrated on numerous CD and DVD recordings. In 2002 she received the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Award for singers in London.

1) You will be singing Isolde in Bregenz on August 10. Is this role in any way special to you? 

I sang Isolde in a fully staged performance for the first time last summer, and that confirmed my conviction that the role is very rewarding, fulfilling, very nice to sing and it will be my favourite role for the future. 

2) If you had not become a singer, what else would you have been? 

My childhood dream was to become an archaeologist. When I discovered music, I wanted to be an organist. I always enjoyed singing, though – it's a very direct way of expressing oneself. But I was shy and would never have thought of going down that path. Until finally the passion for singing won out - and after 17 years of studying the piano I began to study singing from scratch. 

3) Do you have a favourite role? And if yes, which is it and why?

Even after my change of repertoire Kundry still remains my favourite role. It's just a pity that she doesn't sing in Act 3! At the moment Gioconda is my favourite role in the Italian repertoire. I also like Bellini and Verdi, but also Gluck (I recently sang the second Iphigénie, the one from Tauris) and regret that I don't sing any more Bach. But maybe I can still go back to it – I have lost none of my voice from when I was a mezzo.

4) What’s on your favourite IPod playlist?

I have to say that I rarely listen to music when I don’t have to study something. But my IPod is quite full – there is not only operas, Bach & Beethoven, but also Hip-Hop – Rihanna, Beyonce & Co. I have to say that I only like the newest pop music.

5) What is your „secret weapon“ against stage fright?

Sometimes I pray, but sometimes I just have to remind myself that singing makes me very happy and that I want to convey this happiness to the public!

6) Is there anything special you always take with you when travelling?

Sure! Various inhalation devices and lots of remedies (just in case) and vitamins. And my computer, obviously, and enough to read. 

7) What do you miss most when you far away from home?

I obviously miss „normal life“ – being at home, in my own garden, while reading or listening to music. Unfortunately is it not possible to have a worldwide career while sitting at home!

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