Opera diva Angela Gheorghiu to perform full-length ‘La Boheme’ for the first time in Korea, in collaboration with conductor Chung Myung-hwun


Angela Gheorghiu is just what one imagines one of the world’s most famous divas to be. Her elegantly powerful voice, amazingly attractive looks and even her nonnegotiable character have fascinated people around the world for the last 20 years.

It was her originality, her sense of charisma and her perfection in works that catapulted her to international stardom and what still keeps her on the top, the 46-year-old opera singer told The Korea Herald.

“The color of my voice, I am really original. Once you hear me sing, you will recognize me immediately,” said Gheorghiu in a telephone interview.

“The most important thing for an artist is to be original and charismatic in everything. You must have a strong personality in the way you speak, the way you sing and the way you dress … everything. Theater, colleagues, and partners, everything is important. You must be careful in all the details,” she said.

Her striving for perfection made her notorious for cancelling performances, frustrating not only directors but the audiences at opera houses around the world. But Gheorghiu said “it was the right choice for the best.”

“I think in a way I am the black sheep, I said too many ‘no’s’ in my life. But for the last 20 years, my ‘no’s,’ they were right. And I told myself ‘Angela, you are right.’

“Even if you have the biggest talent in the world, if you don’t take care of yourself you can’t be on the top and will disappear,” she said.

Born in 1965 in Romania, Gheorghiu began to study singing and opera at the National University of Music Bucharest at 14.

“It was a very tough life but not in music. I always had my angels, my parents, my teachers and friends, who supported me and believed in me,” she said

“I always heard that I am the best. And when I was very young I heard that I will be somebody and I am the somebody now. All the time, I was absolutely sure about my future.”

It was Mimi of “La Boheme,” which she sang for her graduation performance, and with which she debuted at the Cluj-Napoca Romanian National Opera in 1990.

Even she was still studying in the school, her talent and beauty wowed the audience then under a Communist regime. 

“With little money but with your talent, you would think you are the king of the world. I was also like that when I was at the boarding school (in Romania),” she said.

“I had a little bit more than the characters in ‘La Boheme’ because I had important talent and was singing at lots of television shows and concerts in Romania before making international debut,” she said.

After the fall of the Communist regime, she left the country for London to pursue an international career. In 1992, she made her much-anticipated international debut at the Royal Opera House as Zerlina in “Don Giovanni,” as Adina in “L’elisir d’amore” at the Vienna State Opera and as Mimi in “La Boheme” at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Gheorghiu married Roberto Alagna whom she met at the Met as her counterpart in “La Boheme” in 1996. It was the second marriage for both.

The singer who is currently in Italy will perform opera “La Boheme” for the first time in Korea later this month. The world star will collaborate with maestro Chung Myung-hwun of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra also for the first time.

“We know each other but have never worked together. I know that he is a great musician and I thought this is a unique occasion to do music together. I am so glad to have this combination in your country,” she said.

The Romanian opera singer chose “La Boheme” rather than “La Traviata” for her upcoming performance in Korea because she wanted to celebrate a year full of “La Boheme.” This year marks her 20th anniversary of her international debut at the Royal Opera House.

“There are many memories related to this opera. It is very important for me (because) I adore the story and music. You are going to cry, I will make you cry,” she said.

“La Boheme,” starring Angela Gheorghiu, will be held at the Amphitheater at Yonsei University in Seoul on Aug. 28- Sept. 2. Tickets range from 30,000 to 570,000 won. Call 1544-1555 or 1544-6399, for reservation.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)