Soprano Aida Pascu's Classeek Debut

I started singing when I was little and came from a family of musicians. My parents are both opera singers, and my father is also a conductor. I grew up surrounded by classical music and I always knew this was my path.

Every role I sing is dear to me because studying it and getting to understand the character means spending time with it, making it yours — not to mention all the things you learn with each different style.

I think my favorite role so far has been Mimì from Puccini’s La bohème, a young woman who falls in love but is doomed to a tragic fate. Mimì is not only my first leading role on stage but also the role I always return to with love and learn more about each time I revisit it.

A dream role for the future would be another Puccini heroine, Cio-Cio-San from Madame Butterfly.

I find my inspiration in the art of singers from the so-called Golden Age of opera and in the Italian singing technique, which I consider the most suitable for me. Additionally, current singers with impressive careers serve as models for the development of a young artist who aspires to an international career, one in which they can take the right and healthy steps.

My experience with Classeek has been and continues to be more than pleasant. A team of professionals who made me feel very warmly welcomed and organized everything down to the smallest detail to ensure our collaboration was a success. I look forward to the upcoming events where I will meet these dedicated and wonderful people again.

When I select the repertoire for a recital, I first consider the audience and take into account the space where I will perform; the size of the hall and the audience’s expectations (whether they are musicians or not). Then, based on these parameters, I decide whether it will be a recital of arias (and duets, trios from operas), a lied recital, or a program that includes both opera and chamber music. In this way, I consider if the repertoire should be arranged chronologically or by style, composers, operas, or groups of pieces in a specific language.

I take care of my body as a whole: my diet is balanced, I take vitamin supplements, I exercise regularly, sleep enough, especially before a performance, and I try to constantly manage my mental stress levels. All of these factors contribute to the optimal functioning of the vocal apparatus and ensure good energy levels and stamina for long periods of rehearsals and performances. As for my practice, I train by singing for at least one hour daily, except on rest days, which I allocate for muscle recovery.

In general, I don’t like to make future plans regarding my career. I don’t set expectations to be in a specific place, but I prefer to work as much as I can and seize the opportunities I seek or that are offered to me, and that I feel are a good fit. Essentially, my goal is to debut as many roles as possible and to see myself in a stable position artistically, where I feel completely confident in what I can do.

My advice would be: “Be self-critical and perfectionist, but don’t be self-destructive, and filter all the advice and opinions you hear through your own mind.”

This is a very important lesson I’ve learned the hard way recently, and I’ve struggled a lot to accept the days when things don’t go as well as I know they could, due to objective reasons, as well as the criticism/advice from people who don’t understand or aren’t truly interested in what’s best for me. It’s also important to recognize what we do well and not doubt the path we’ve chosen when faced with adversity.