Sondra Radvanovsky’s current obsessions: five things the superstar soprano is loving right now
Technically, the virtuosic Verdi soprano lives in Caledon, but she spends 10 months of the year travelling to the Met, La Scala and the Paris Opera. In April, she’ll sing in Toronto for the first time in four years, making her debut in the role of the aging, angry Queen Elizabeth I in the COC’s production of Roberto Devereux, an opera by the Italian composer—and Verdi progenitor—Gaetano Donizetti. We asked Radvanovsky what’s inspiring her, culturally speaking, outside the opera house.
“I’m a huge Formula One fan, so I loved this film about the racers Niki Lauda and James Hunt. I got to meet Lauda a couple of years ago, when Placido Domingo invited me to watch a race with him in Venice.”
“Rufus recently told me he wanted me to perform the lead in an upcoming production of his opera. He was inspired by Verdi’s Requiem, which you can hear in bits and pieces throughout.”
“Oh my god, I can’t put it down. Someone should turn it into an opera—it’s such an epic tale, and the story is so human. It’s a historic novel, but it feels otherworldly.”
“You have to suspend your disbelief, but I like the adventure. I want to read about things that would never happen to me—my life doesn’t have much mystery.”
“Ever since I started rehearsing Roberto Devereux, I’ve been on a real British kick. I was absolutely heartbroken when Matthew died. I haven’t had the guts to watch season four yet.”
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