zoran thodorovic
TENOR
"We still spend a lot of money for many things
that we could make better even with less."
that we could make better even with less."
Zoran Todorovich was born in Belgrade, but it's a long time since he is living all over the world, doing the thing he loves the most: singing. His career is remarkable and he is quite famous in the operatic world, but despite his fame, he remains a very kind and pleasant person, who is deeply connected to music but also to nature- a rare quality for an artist. Living his dream, loving his life, Zoran is shining with a positive attitude for life, almost impossible to find nowadays.
By @kassandra_dimopoulou_official
By @kassandra_dimopoulou_official
How did you start singing opera?
That was a huge coincidence. Because of my first great love I auditioned for the amateur chorus in Belgrade. But the conductor was also a director of the state conservatory and asked me if I would like to try to educate my voice more professionally. And of course I said yes. That was only the beginning of one of the most interesting journeys of my life. After that the youngest sister of my mother brought me to Germany and helped me audition for the Music high school in Frankfurt. And now here we are!
What is your favourite operatic role?
This question is always difficult to answer because there are good reasons for everything that I choose to sing. Turiddu in “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Canio in “ I Pagliacci” I would say are two most emotionally overwhelming roles that I've had to sing in one of my best nights to date. I simply love these two very contrasting characters.
What is your process of studying a new role?
I love to read more about the story, if I can find it. That helps me create a film in my head, like a director. When I start to feel the kind of emotions necessary for the role, I start to interpret the musical elements. I love to hear some recordings of a piece as well. That helps me hear the orchestration and recognize the harmonies within the complete score. The rest is a matter of day to day coaching until the music finds its place in my memory. My record for shortest period required t learn a role was about 8 days for "Un ballo in maschera" by Verdi. But I love to have more time for studying of course.
You recently sang "Parsifal" by R. Wagner. What is your experience with this role?
Parsifal is such great music. Not the best tenor part like Lohengrin or Siegmund, but this monumental symphonic music is just incredible. And to be a part of it made me feel very happy. Another great thing was the amazing production of Parsifal that Tatjana Gürbaca did with us at the Vlaamse opera. Such a great experience for all of us.
What is the funniest memory you have on stage?
It was in a “La Boheme” performance. We had a new soprano just jumping in for the role of Mimi. During the last act (when she comes back very weak and ill) I am supposed to take her in my arms and bring her to the sofa. But in that moment I recognize that she is a "big " girl, a little too big for such an action! I deside to risk it and take her in my arms- and that was quite ok- but as I came to the sofa I could not put her down smoothly so I just open my arms and left her fall down on the bed. The problem was that this moment wasn't very elegant and the audience recognized it...
How is the real life style of an opera singer?
From the beginning of my career I recognized that we have to travel a lot, we are for a long period away from our family and friends. So I try to make also these long periods as a nice and comfortable as possible. The life style can be great even without great luxury or expensive cars, but I love to have it nice and comfortable where ever I am.
How do you see the opera world nowadays? Is there something you would like to change?
That is very complex question to answer in a few words. The biggest problem for me is that we still spend a lot of money for many things that we could make better even with less. And that is very dangerous in a such difficult financial situation like today. Paying for productions that we have to cancel, for the opera managers who have to leave, but always criticizing the artists who are directly responsible that opera houses still have audiences and fans.
Do you teach?
Yes I do. But I work with a few very talented people that I try to support. Not only with showing them the art of singing , but also sharing with them my experience in many other things that are important for our profession.
What would you advice a young opera singer?
To always believe in their possibilities and dreams. I dreamed my dream and it became reality. So how can I advise something else?
Is there an artist that inspires you the most?
Yes, the writer Ivo Andric.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I adore playing golf with my old good friends, but also to make some new friends. And that happened all over the world- believe me. My big passion for horses is also a big part of my life. But there I merely offer a bit of help for my wife who is a professional rider.
If your life could be a piece of music, that would that be?
Absolutely something with a great happy end. And that is very difficult to find in the opera repertoire, so it would be some kind of operetta!
Where is home for you?
There where my family is.
Future plans?
Enriching my repertoire , but also my curiosity for other music directions. So I will sing for the first time Zemlinskys Florentinischer Tragödie, as well as some Wagner roles : "Parsifal", "Lohengrin", "Tannhäuser" and "Walküre".
Art is...
... to feel free and create an original interpretation of that what you create. In music, but also in all other important things in life.
That was a huge coincidence. Because of my first great love I auditioned for the amateur chorus in Belgrade. But the conductor was also a director of the state conservatory and asked me if I would like to try to educate my voice more professionally. And of course I said yes. That was only the beginning of one of the most interesting journeys of my life. After that the youngest sister of my mother brought me to Germany and helped me audition for the Music high school in Frankfurt. And now here we are!
What is your favourite operatic role?
This question is always difficult to answer because there are good reasons for everything that I choose to sing. Turiddu in “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Canio in “ I Pagliacci” I would say are two most emotionally overwhelming roles that I've had to sing in one of my best nights to date. I simply love these two very contrasting characters.
What is your process of studying a new role?
I love to read more about the story, if I can find it. That helps me create a film in my head, like a director. When I start to feel the kind of emotions necessary for the role, I start to interpret the musical elements. I love to hear some recordings of a piece as well. That helps me hear the orchestration and recognize the harmonies within the complete score. The rest is a matter of day to day coaching until the music finds its place in my memory. My record for shortest period required t learn a role was about 8 days for "Un ballo in maschera" by Verdi. But I love to have more time for studying of course.
You recently sang "Parsifal" by R. Wagner. What is your experience with this role?
Parsifal is such great music. Not the best tenor part like Lohengrin or Siegmund, but this monumental symphonic music is just incredible. And to be a part of it made me feel very happy. Another great thing was the amazing production of Parsifal that Tatjana Gürbaca did with us at the Vlaamse opera. Such a great experience for all of us.
What is the funniest memory you have on stage?
It was in a “La Boheme” performance. We had a new soprano just jumping in for the role of Mimi. During the last act (when she comes back very weak and ill) I am supposed to take her in my arms and bring her to the sofa. But in that moment I recognize that she is a "big " girl, a little too big for such an action! I deside to risk it and take her in my arms- and that was quite ok- but as I came to the sofa I could not put her down smoothly so I just open my arms and left her fall down on the bed. The problem was that this moment wasn't very elegant and the audience recognized it...
How is the real life style of an opera singer?
From the beginning of my career I recognized that we have to travel a lot, we are for a long period away from our family and friends. So I try to make also these long periods as a nice and comfortable as possible. The life style can be great even without great luxury or expensive cars, but I love to have it nice and comfortable where ever I am.
How do you see the opera world nowadays? Is there something you would like to change?
That is very complex question to answer in a few words. The biggest problem for me is that we still spend a lot of money for many things that we could make better even with less. And that is very dangerous in a such difficult financial situation like today. Paying for productions that we have to cancel, for the opera managers who have to leave, but always criticizing the artists who are directly responsible that opera houses still have audiences and fans.
Do you teach?
Yes I do. But I work with a few very talented people that I try to support. Not only with showing them the art of singing , but also sharing with them my experience in many other things that are important for our profession.
What would you advice a young opera singer?
To always believe in their possibilities and dreams. I dreamed my dream and it became reality. So how can I advise something else?
Is there an artist that inspires you the most?
Yes, the writer Ivo Andric.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I adore playing golf with my old good friends, but also to make some new friends. And that happened all over the world- believe me. My big passion for horses is also a big part of my life. But there I merely offer a bit of help for my wife who is a professional rider.
If your life could be a piece of music, that would that be?
Absolutely something with a great happy end. And that is very difficult to find in the opera repertoire, so it would be some kind of operetta!
Where is home for you?
There where my family is.
Future plans?
Enriching my repertoire , but also my curiosity for other music directions. So I will sing for the first time Zemlinskys Florentinischer Tragödie, as well as some Wagner roles : "Parsifal", "Lohengrin", "Tannhäuser" and "Walküre".
Art is...
... to feel free and create an original interpretation of that what you create. In music, but also in all other important things in life.
