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José Cura once again guests at the Veszprém Festival

Erika Révész - Naplo-online.hu

29 Jun 2010

Veszprém, Budapest - The world renowned Argentinean tenor José Cura has already dazzled audiences at the Veszprém Festival. This year he returns to the action again, this time accompanied by Ildikó Komlósi and the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Mario de Rose). We interviewed the artist on this occasion.

1. Many times you were considered untalented and yet you still insisted being a singer. For what reason did you trust yourself so much?
I have never been considered "not gifted for music" by people who were "gifted for music" themselves... therefore, I didn't take these judgements seriously...

2. Horatio Amauri taught you the singing technique. Is it a special technique?
If you think that according to many I have no technique, and that after 32 years of stage presence, 20 of them in the international market, I can still produce a decent sound... then yes, my answer is that the technique I learned is special because not is not visible... The ideal.

3. Why did you decided o move to Europe with your family?
For the same reason my grand parents decided to move to Argentina: looking for work!

4. What gave you strength when you lived in a garage?
Faith and conviction, plus the support of my family and friends. I great cocktail indeed!

5. Your career began in 1994 after winning the Domingo competition. How was that? Did you get a lot of offers from all across the world or the beginning wasn't that fast?
My career didn't begin in 1994 but in 1978... Then, in 1991 I moved to Europe and in 1992 started to work. By 1994, when I won the Operalia competition, I was already doing a respectable young career. I even had my first recording released in that year. The Domingo competition was very important because the TV broadcast made people start to talk about me. Wonders of TV... Fast? If you think that my debut on stage was 1978 and that I became famous only 20 years after... not too fast, no? And this was good. That's why I still survive when many my colleagues have already quit: long time of preparation makes you strong.

6. The first time you were in Hungary was in 2000, this year it is the 10th occasion for you to perform here. What attracts you here? As you could be performing in several, very popular or trendy places in the world.
Your question undermines the greatness and beauty of your country, cradle of some of the most incredible artists of all times.

7. We could experience in 2004 in Veszprem that you are very good at communicating with the audience. Is it a family heritage being so friendly?
My family is sweet indeed. I am really lucky in this sense.

8. You already performed in the most famous opera houses and festivals of the world. Do you have a chance then to get to know these cities and the people living there?
Depends on my schedule. If I go again and again to places, then I can have the chance to establish good relationships with people. That is why I have very good friends in Hungary!

9.You performed at the MET with Ildikó Komlósi in Cavalleria Rusticana directed by Zeffirelli and this year you also performed with her at the Opera Ball in Budapest, Hungary. What is your opinion about her as a partner?
Ildiko is one of my best friends in the business and a fabulous singer.

10. Opera at the 21st century is still for the priviliged people. How do you think this genre could be driven closer to the everyday person? Privileged? In which sense? Economic?
That's a very confortable cliché created by those who need excuses. An opera ticket, for an ordinary performance (I mean, not a premiere or a Gala) costs less than a football ticket... Another thing is that opera, being a form of classic art, needs from the public a preparation to be understood. Like any other form of classic art. If nobody explains you the revolution in the use of the technique by Leonardo in "La Gioconda", you will stand in front of the painting I just see a charming fat lady smiling at you... but if you know, you will understand Da Vinci's revolution. If you don't prepare yourself to understand things that are great because they are not obvious, everything that has not been prepared for you in a precooked and frozen just to be warmed in the microwave, will look or sound difficult. The "privilege" as you say, is not in the money, but in the world of senses and spiritual richness that classic art opens to the person, of whichever social level, who has the courage of learning about it.

10. You said that you live like a rambler. How can you be an everyday father? Does your family like it in Madrid?
I have been with the same woman for 31 years now. I have three incredible children growing healthy in body and mind. Travelling is an excuse only if you don't want to assume your responsabilities. If not, this is a work as many others. How many parents see their children only the weekend because they leave for work before they wake up and come back when they are already in bed? When I am home, I am 24 hrs a day dedicated to my family. Now, talking about privileges... that is one!