Greece, 04/08/2013
​

We met on the set of "Rigoletto a Mantova" in summer 2010.  Julia was singing the role of Gilda next to Placido Domingo who was starting his baritone career with the title role in Verdi's opera "Il Rigoletto".  Julia is a coloratura soprano and she comes from Russia.  She has won the international competition "Operalia" and after her "Rigoletto" debut she started a remarkable career, singing main roles in many European theatres.  She is a young woman who keeps a low profile, a hard worker and a realist.  As she told me once in private "I wouldn't encourage a young person to do our job.  It's far too unfair and it's a matter of luck, if one makes it".  
By @kassandra_dimopoulou_official

How did you become an opera singer?
I got “infected” in the TV&Radio Children's Choir in St.Petersburg, where I sang as a child and teenager.  Our conductor gave me solo numbers to sing in concerts, and when the time came advised me to study opera singing. I enjoyed singing in front of the audience so much that I was tantalized to explore the further possibilities of the voice.  And also, I have been fascinated by the world of opera from my childhood when my parents took me to see the performances at the Mariinsky theatre, long before I dreamed of becoming a singer myself.


What is your favourite role and why?
There are so many great roles in my repertoire that I cannot really choose one!  For example there is Gilda, a very pure but very strong character, who sacrifices her life for the person she loves, even knowing of his betrayal;  or Lucia, who loses her mind because of love and gets to sing this unearthly, beautiful music;  or Susanna, who is so charming and smart;  or also Adina, who plays the cat-and-mouse game with an adoring tenor and then discovers love herself – all of this is tremendous fun and an honour to portray!


Tell us about your experience in the RADA Film Production “Rigoletto a Mantova” where you sang the role of Gilda next to Placido Domingo.
This is something that I will literally never forget!  I am very grateful for the opportunity to experience one of my favourite roles like this.  Because everything took place at the original locations, just as in the libretto, it all felt so real.  And I cannot really describe how wonderful it was to share those intense emotions with Maestro Domingo, exploring the father and daughter relationship of this Verdi masterpiece.  I could forget that there were cameras all around, all that existed was the music and the fascinating characters of Rigoletto.


You are from Russia.  How was it different in the beginning for you to work outside your country and why?
I actually began working in Europe, so I do not have much information on the Russian opera system to share.  In fact, I would really like to sing more in my home country, so I hope that the future will bring me some opportunities to do that.


How is the life of a successful opera singer like yourself?  If you could change something about it, what would it be?
You know, when we are on stage, singing a part that we enjoy, these are moments of true happiness, and I think I'm speaking for many now.  But on the way there, there are a lot of obstacles, which of course make us work on ourselves and get better every day, but I sometimes wish that some goals were easier to achieve.


Do you think an artist should be active in society and its matters?  Do you think art isolates the artists from the “real world”?
Well, sometimes it is exactly the special status of the artist that allows one to really make changes, isn't it?  I think everybody should contribute something, according to one's possibilities. As for me, I am trying to participate in charity concerts as often as I can.


Which artists do you admire the most and why?
I was very lucky to meet some artists who enjoy tremendous fame, but in spite of that managed to stay very natural and down-to-earth, this ability makes them even greater, in my opinion.


Do you think art is important to humanity and why?  What about opera?
In a world that is moving so fast and with all the overwhelming amount of information that we confront every day, it is so important for us to stop once in a while and to listen to and explore our inner self in order not to get lost.  I think art and music help us do just that.  I hope that people who listen to opera can relate and respond to the beautiful emotions that they experience there and it helps them understand themselves better. Besides, has not Dostoevsky said that beauty would save the world?  Of course one could understand this on a lot of different levels, but it certainly applies to opera as well!


Do you think opera has a successful future?
I sincerely hope so!


Many people know nothing about opera.  How would you describe it in a few words to someone who has no idea in order to make him curious about it?
It is a world where some very dramatic situations are described, where people sing instead of speaking, but often even when the character is silent, the orchestra expresses his thoughts and feelings.


If your life would be a piece of music, that would be...
The vocalise by Rachmaninov.  No words, but a pure emotion... I often follow my emotions in life, it might make me vulnerable, but I still do not regret it.


What are your interests? What do you like to do in your free time?
Read books, go to the movies, meet friends, just like everybody else!


Future plans?
There are some very exiting things coming up, for example I will sing the role of Lakme! The bell song from this opera has been my first choice for Gala concerts, but I have not yet had a chance to sing the whole part.


Art is...
... a place where I find the most answers to my questions.