The phone rang one bright April afternoon — Vilnius was calling! The wonderful National Theatre invited me to step into the regal shoes of Amneris in Verdi’s Aida, with opening night set for June. Overwhelmed? Absolutely. Thrilled? Even more so.
My heart did a little somersault. Of course I knew the role — every mezzo dreams of this royal challenge — but preparing such a debut in so little time? A challenge! But, what a beautiful challenge it was.
I threw myself into the music, and what a joy it was. Every rehearsal felt like stepping closer to Amneris’s world: proud, passionate, and heartbreakingly human. By the time the curtain rose, I wasn’t just singing her; I was living her story.
What a gift to share this perfect Verdi score with an audience. I’d love for you to join me in reliving that magic — you can find recordings on YouTube.