London, 15/04/2012​

Irini Kyriakidou Hymel is a very young and very beautiful Greek soprano who is starting an international carrier.  She recently sang the role of Zerlina in Mozart's "Don Giovanni" in Teatro della Fenice and Covent Garden.  Married to the sensational American tenor, Bryan Hymel, they are a new, sparkling operatic couple which promises a long, interesting way through the music industry. 
By @kassandra_dimopoulou_official

What is the truth about the every day life of a couple of two young and successful professional opera singers?
We consider ourselves very lucky because we get to spend a lot of time together.  We travel to many different places and It's a lot of fun.  We spent the past summer in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which was a wonderful place to be!  We do miss our family and friends, but we make new ones in every place we go! We try to spend as much time as possible with our families in the US and Greece.


You are a couple in life.  Would you like to be a couple also on stage?  If yes, which opera do you think would suit you the best-and why?
We look forward to singing together and we think that the best "stage" couple would be Rodolfo-Mimi.  We identify with both the characters and the music.


Irini, you have made a big debut in ROH in the role of Zerlina, in one of the most famous operas:  Mozart's "Don Giovanni".  You have already sang this role in National Opera of Greece and in Teatro Fenice in Venice. In which way was this debut different than the others?
It was fun and a pleasure to sing in each one of these theatres.  All productions were very different from each other and I identified most with the one at Covent Garden, because Zerlina was portrayed more innocent and pure.  The thing that made this debut more special was that the ROH is the place were I met my husband and most of the people that surrounded the production were also at the Carmen he was singing when we met.


Bryan, you are already one of the most popular tenors of your generation. Is your career the number one important thing in your life?
My career is very important and I have worked hard to many years to get where I am, but my wife/family is the single most important thing in my life.


Irini& Bryan:  People say, it is quite impossible for artists, especially artists who travel a lot, to have a family and children.  What do you think about that?
We know it will be difficult, but not impossible.  Life is not easy.  Children are not easy - but it's important enough that we will do what it takes to make it work!  Certainly, we'll have to make sacrifices;  but we'll keep our priorities, and compromise when necessary.


Irini:  Greece is in a very difficult situation.  What would you suggest to the young greek opera singers to do?
I am very sorry about the condition of my country and I would hate to see young people being discouraged in following their dreams.  They should always remember that there are many opportunities abroad and they should do their research as far as opera studios and academies are concerned.  I remember reading recently a very interesting article you wrote especially on this subject.  It was very informative.


Bryan:  What do you think a young singer should be aware of, when starting his/her carrier?
I think a young singer should know his/her voice very well, and therefore, pick appropriate repertoire.  It's important to let the voice grow and mature over time without getting into trouble.  It's good to be in our 30s!  Also, in the age of HD broadcasts, we all must take care of our appearance/image.


Irini& Bryan: Who were the most important people in your lives?
Our families!  We also have huge appreciation for our teachers and coaches who have so generously helped us become the artists we are.


Irini:  Which, in your opinion, are the difficulties a woman has to be aware of, when starting her career?  Are they quite different than a man's difficulties -and why?
The difficulties as far as the singing is concerned are the same whether you are a man or a woman, I think.  A singer's physicality is becoming more and more important for both men and women.


Bryan:  How is opera in America? What do you think about opera world nowadays?  Is it going to survive the new generations and the financial crises which put it more and more aside?
Opera in America is still going!  Money is scarce in some areas, but it has forced companies to get creative and some really wonderful projects have been produced on smaller budgets.  And actually, attendance is rising among young people, which is very exciting!


Irini:  Do you think there are great teachers in singing?  If yes, did you meet some and how did they affect your life?
I think there are wonderful singing teachers out there. My teacher in Greece, Marina Krilovici, is the best that Greece could have and is the woman who changed my life completely! She gave me the ticket to my career and the strength to face what it's included (in the career). She is still there for me whenever I need her and this is not something you come across very often!


Irini& Bryan:  What is your favorite role and why?
Irini:  My role is Susanna! Unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to sing it in a production yet, but I just love her character, her music and it fits me like a glove!
Bryan:  Cavaradossi.  I identify with his passion and love the music.


Irini& Bryan: How do you deal with a new role? What is your process of learning?
Irini: I start by looking at the music, listen to a great recording and then when I know the music part very well I begin singing it and working it into my voice.
Bryan: First I translate the text, then break it down into sections and start working on the hardest ones, first. Getting the details and the diction correct the first time, saves a lot of time and energy re-learning things later.


Irini &Bryan: It is often a matter between opera singers/actors: How do you deal with your female/male partners in a love scene? Is there a way to act naturally and yet keep the professional level?
Of course!  Unlike in movies, at the opera there is a greater distance between the performers and the audiences, so it's not SO intimate.  Still, chemistry is very important on stage, but we don't think it needs to be grotesque.


Bryan: Irini is Greek, so, does being with her make you see our country differently? How would you describe Greece?
I had the opportunity to sing in Athens twice before, and very much enjoyed Greece. It's a beautiful country!  Of course, I love the food and especially the warmth of the people!  I cannot wait to visit more of the islands which are truly beautiful!


Irini& Bryan: Your future plans?
Having children is a top priority for us.  Other than that we hope to keep singing for as long as we can;  and at the right time, we both feel that we want to teach!