We interviewed our Dimitrij singers about singing Dvořák, what it’s really like being an opera star and why you should come see Dimitrij…read what soprano Olga Jelínková (Xenie) has to say below!
What aspect(s) of your character can you relate to?
Olga Jelinkova
The opera pictures Xenia in the fatal situation of her life, so it’s hard to recognize her real character, but I think she is very strong in her love for family – she feels the responsibility for the ancestors, so even this big, fatal love she feels for Dimitrij can’t let her forget all the consequences…
Why should people see this opera?
Dimitrij is the real historical figure and the story is a straight continuation of another opera – Boris Godunov of Musorgskij. I think, that the “expedition” in the Russian history can be very interesting, especially for the people of another continent 🙂 And the music of Dvořák is always fantastic and marvelous. It’s not only in Rusalka or the New World Symphony that we find these splendid musical themes…
What’s unique about singing Dvorak?
Here can I continue – splendid musical themes 🙂 Long phrases full of emotion,warmth… so well written for singers, I think.
If you could ask your character one question, what would you ask them and why?
Is it real – the love on the first sight? Could it be really so strong?
If you could meet one of the characters in Dimitrij, who would you meet and why?
I would meet Dimitrij. I’m so interested in these psychologically inconsistent characters – someone lives all his life like someone else…how he would feel in the moment he recognizes the reality…?
What’s your favorite part of the opera rehearsal process?
I like all of the process, especially the moments before the first performance – I am looking forward to the reactions of the audience, to this excitement, which the music can create…
Any words of wisdom for young opera singers?
🙂 What I can recommend – When you sing the opera, you must live it. How many can say, that their profession is both the hobby and mission? Resist and stay strong in your confidence, that this special profession you do has it’s higher sense…
Want to learn more about Olga? Visit her website.