(photo: Lukáš Kimlička)

Soprano Adriana Kučerová is a star of the Opera at the Slovak National Theatre. Having just seen her perform the role of the Vixen in Janacek’s masterpiece in Bratislava, OperaWire thought it would be a good opportunity to find out a little more about her.

OperaWire: What was the first opera you saw?

Adriana Kučerová: “La Traviata.” I was 22 years old at the time.

OW: Did you enjoy it?

AK: Yes, I loved it, especially the costumes.

OW: Who is your favorite opera composer?

AK: Verdi.

OW: Of the operas that you have sung, which is your favorite?

AK: “Rigoletto.”

OW: Of the operas that you have not yet sung, which would you most like to perform?

AK: “Manon” by Massenet.

OW: Which character that you have met on stage have you most disliked?

AK: Nick Shadow from “The Rake’s Progress.”

OW: If you could invite three guests to a dinner party, one of which must be a character from an opera, who would they be?

AK: Falstaff, The Fox from “The Cunning Little Vixen,” and Serse

OW: What annoys you most about a director?

AK: When they go against the emotions experienced by the character

OW: What is your favorite piece of nonclassical music?

AK: Bohemian Rhapsody

OW: Name the person who has had the biggest influence on your career.

AK: My first teacher, Oľga Mojžišová. She gave me the courage to pursue singing as a career.

OW: What book are you reading at the moment?

AK: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundra

OW: What do you most like about being a singer?

AK: To have the possibility to interpret the music of the great composers in my way.

OW: What do you most dislike about being a singer?

AK: It can be stressful at times.

OW: You are currently performing “The Cunning Little Vixen.” What two characteristics best describe her?

AK: Wild and in love with life.

OW: What qualities do you need to be a successful singer?

AK: A good voice, talent, and good nerves. You must also have a good teacher.

OW: Who is your favorite painter?

AK: Van Gogh

OW: Where do you most like to go on holiday?

AK: The Maldives

OW: Would you like your children to become singers?

AK: No. It is a beautiful thing to be a singer, but there are some negative aspects that I would not like my children to be exposed to.