Interview with Katharina Konradi

"I have to brush my teeth 5 minutes before the performance."

Katharina Konradi was born in Bishkek and is the first soprano from Kyrgyzstan to achieve international acclaim in the fields of song, concert, and opera. In 2003, she moved with her family to Hamburg. The soprano studied with Julie Kaufmann in Berlin and with Christiane Iven in Munich. She also received important artistic inspiration in masterclasses with Helmut Deutsch and Klesie Kelly-Moog. Katharina Konradi was the winner of the German Music Competition in 2016 and a BBC New Generation Artists Fellow (2018-2021).

You only discovered classical music at the age of 15, having previously aspired to be a pop singer. How did this change of heart come about?
Even as a small child, I dreamed of being on stage, and so I used to put on concerts at home for my parents, neighbors, and relatives. However, since I only had access to pop and folk music as a child in a small Kyrgyz village, becoming a pop singer was my ultimate ambition. It wasn't until I came to Germany that I discovered the fantastic world of classical music, and that was it for me. I was so fascinated by the idea of ​​making my voice sound loud without amplification. And then there's the virtuosity that classical music brings, and the incredible breadth of repertoire for every voice type: all of this opened up the world of my dreams, the world I now live in.

How do you approach learning a new role?
Fortunately, we live in a world full of possibilities, and I greatly appreciate being able to listen to my part and the entire opera before even looking at the score. I'm very lucky that my husband supports me in my preparation, as he also comes from the theater world and worked for many years as a répétiteur and conductor. I'm a slow learner and need many study sessions where I repeatedly review what I've learned in small sections. Once I've mastered the notes, I go to my vocal coach, where I work on the vocal technique and "sing" the part into my body.

How difficult is it to separate work and leisure at home?
Very difficult, because my profession is so time-consuming and multifaceted that we often spend days just rehearsing, organizing travel, and planning. As artists, we are responsible for our own progress and development, so it's sometimes very hard for me to "give away" my free time, and I try to work, develop, and learn as much as possible.

Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
I have to brush my teeth five minutes before a performance. That's really the only fixed ritual. And a certain sequence of breathing exercises based on the breathing exercises of the Russian opera singer A. Strelnikova has to be completed before the performance. That brings me back to my body and gives me the feeling that every aspect of the instrument is ready.

How do you deal with stage fright?
I'm fortunate enough not to experience stage fright anymore. When I was still a beginner, I could always count on the first two or three notes breaking due to nerves. My throat felt constricted with fear, and I felt like my heart wanted to burst out of me. Over time, I learned to cope. Breathing exercises and sometimes autogenic training were a great help. Regular performances also helped the fear and stage fright disappear.

What do you particularly like about your profession, and what do you dislike?
My profession truly has two extremes for me: on the one hand, I see the world, travel to the most beautiful cities, and share the stages with the most talented and renowned musicians. I speak several languages ​​fluently and have wonderful encounters with audiences from different countries.
On the other hand, I'm rarely at home, and the feeling of being rootless is a constant companion. I now believe that this is part of my nature, and I have to learn to accept it because I love my calling and can't imagine anything better.
What I really dislike about my profession, however, is the constant dependence on my physical condition. Singers are sometimes plagued by colds and viruses. Every emotion is immediately reflected in the voice, and woe betide you if you've had a sleepless night or chatted far too much with friends… your voice will repay you.

Which deceased composer would you like to spend a day with, and why?
The answer is clear: Franz Schubert. I would love to experience the energy he radiated and his sense of humor. Someone who composed so much in such a short life must have been burning with passion. I would have loved to feel that fire.

What passions do you have besides music?
I love visual arts, painting, and fashion. I would love to spend more time painting. I paint with acrylics and would like to try oil painting soon. I love sewing and working with beautiful fabrics. It's impossible to pursue my hobbies while traveling because you need a lot of space, equipment, and time to create something in peace. Sometime in the future, I will make more time for them.

Interview by Florian Schär | Classicpoint.net | December 1, 2024
© Image: Simon Pauly

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January 29, 2027 - Paavo Järvi with Mozart's Requiem