Blessed with a strong personality, soprano Daniela Dessì speaks to Fr George Frendo about the story of women who share a common denominator: unwavering and faithful love.
Welcomed by a “sono contentissima di venire a Gozo”, I could not but feel at ease in Daniela Dessì’s dressing room at the Teatro dell’Opera in Rome.
A beautiful voice is not enough to get you far. Without intelligent singing you don’t get anywhere
Starting off by recalling with great enthusiasm her one and only Malta visit with the artists of the Metropolitan Opera for a memorable concert at the Manoel Theatre in 2007, Dessì’s refined charm and cultured sophistication could be felt from the word go.
Falling in love with opera aged 11, when Corelli, Nilsson, Cossotto, and Gencher held audiences in thrall at the Teatro dell’Opera, Dessì decided she wanted to inhabit the opera world.
“It was love at first hearing,” she confesses with a hint of a smile.
Introduced to Rome’s Teatro dell’Opera boards as an extra by her aunt, who sang in the choir, Dessì’s sonorous deep voice soon caught the attention of her colleagues.
“I just could not stop myself from imitating the grandi,” she notes.
One can hardly blame her for that is how many greats started. Dessì’s prowess as a supreme Puccini interpreter is acknowledged by many.
“A beautiful voice is not enough to get you far,” she continues. “Without intelligenza del canto (intelligent singing) you don’t get anywhere.”
Indeed, the seven-minute rapturous applause she was accorded on the opening night of Madama Butterfly at the Teatro dell’Opera bears witness to her magisterial interpretation, plumbing the depths of Puccini’s superb score to bring out every single nuance with timeless grace and high style.
Madama Butterfly just got under her skin: she was Cio Cio San.
“It is an intimate story which takes on universal dimensions,” Dessì goes on.
A woman blessed with a strong personality and commanding presence, Dessì slid easily into the dainty slippers of the ill-fated geisha, and towered above the menacing bow of the US warship dominating the background of the stage, without flinching.
“It’s all about the grande personalità of women who share a common denominator: unwavering and faithful love,” she emphasises, her voice rising slowly with barely subdued emotion.
Like the other Puccini heroines, Butterfly is more like an iron lady than anything else. The softness and exquisite feminine traits encase a fibre of steel which sustains the mounting drama leading to the tragic outcome.
“Singing is all about the words: the words introduce you to the music and vice-versa,” she answers when asked about the way she tackles her roles.
Flashing a winning smile, Dessì brings up what can be aptly termed a roll-call of the world’s principal opera conductors – Kleiber, Maazel, Mehta, Muti, Abbado, Levine and Chailly, with whom she has registered landmark performances.
Speaking about stage productions, Dessì shuns the outrageous:
“When I was briefed about certain scenes and costumes, I declined,” she comments decidedly.
She holds that the music is centre-stage in opera and patrons should not be distracted by needless and pointless ‘theatre’ and blatant ‘exhibitionism’.
“People should speak about the music not the artistic director,” she underlines.
“I believe music and vulgarity do not mix.”
This does not mean “it was not a step in the right direction that the vecchie tele (past scenery) have given way to modern settings. Rather, it means good taste should characterise every production. Things should be put in their proper perspective.”
How does Dessì feel about being partnered on the stage with her life companion Fabio Armiliato, a top tenor, hailed as one of the current best exponents of the Italian school?
“Singing with Fabio is much easier. There is a different type of confidence, both on personal and musical levels,” she explains.
They indeed form a dream duo. Dessì graciously reveals that in her spare time she enjoys listening to pop music as her musical tastes are wide ranging; pops into the gym; cooks for her 18-year-old son and leads as ‘normal’ life.
Daniela Dessi’ will be singing the title role in Madama Butterfly at the Astra Theatre on October 25 and 27 as part of the 11th edition of Festival Mediterranea. Booking is open. Call 2155 0985 or 7925 6897, e-mail bookings@mediterranea.com.mt.
For further information visit www.mediterranea.com.mt.