Opera Australia soprano Natalie Aroyan hits the high notes

POP music’s loss was opera’s gain, when this talented singer changed her tune

Opera Australia's, Natalie Aroyan with one of her Harry Potter Nimbus 2000 broom stick that her dad made for her. Picture: David Swift

• WHO: Opera Australia’s soprano Natalie Aroyan

• WHERE: Family home on the north shore

• FAVOURITE THING: I always wanted a piece of Harry Potter memorabilia, but couldn’t afford the price tag. So I had my father build this Nimbus 2000 broomstick instead

• INSPIRATION: Modern chic interiors

• HOME IS: They say home is where the heart is, and I believe that. I’ve learnt to make the most out of every chance I get to spend with family around my busy schedule

WHEN Natalie Aroyan was younger, all she wanted was to mimic the career highs of pop star Tina Arena. She certainly had the vocal range, but her parents encouraged her to take the more conventional path and head off to university to study a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Information Technology, “just in case”.

After graduating, Natalie still wanted to be a pop singer, so her parents, of Armenian descent, relented and took her to see a famous Armenian mezzo soprano and vocal coach, Liliya Ovchiyan, in concert.

“That weekend I experienced opera for the first time, and I thought, ‘wow, this woman’s voice is so voluptuous and voluminous, without a microphone’, I have to learn from her,” Natalie says. “So, we approached her and I sang for her. After just one song, she stopped me and said, ‘You are not meant to be a pop singer’, and my heart sank. She then said, ‘You were born to be an opera singer’.

AT HOME WITH YUMI STYNES

That was the turning point for Natalie, who is now a star in Opera Australia’s line-up, and calls the Sydney Opera House, “my home”.

At the moment she is juggling two operas, performing in both Carmen by Bizet and
La Traviata by Verdi. Later on this year, Natalie will debut in the title role in AIDA at her beloved Sydney Opera House.

Natalie has had career stints in New York and Modena, Italy, and keeps her own apartment in the inner-city suburb of Zetland for when she’s not on the road.

“I have a beautiful rooftop apartment, which is close to work and close to the city,” she says. “When I am on the North Shore I am with my parents, when I am not, I live alone. But I travel so much I am rarely alone.”

Pictures David Swift

More:opera.org.au

Hermes scarf: This scarf is very special. It is a limited edition illustration of the Armenian alphabet, which I bought in Paris.

Langham room spray / Shangri-La diffuser: My two favourite hotels when I travel. I love to pretend I am always there by having their signature aromatic scents in my room. Langham Melbourne for their luxurious dream beds, and Shangri-La for the amazing day spa and massages.

Diva Christmas ornament: Christmas is my favourite time of the year and one thing I love is buying new ornaments each year. This has to be my favourite one I picked up at the The Met Opera in New York.

Superman/Wonder Woman figurines: All my childhood I have had a fascination with superheroes and have collected quite a number of rare figures. It’s something that my brother passed onto me.

Chanel mascara : My number one beauty product is this Chanel waterproof mascara. I don’t leave home without it.

Grandmother’s pearls: These pearls were passed down to my mother, and now they have been passed down to me. The necklace is one of my favourite family heirlooms and something I hope to pass down one day too.

Natalie necklace: This white gold necklace illustrates my name in Armenian. It is also very special as it is in my father’s handwriting. It was a gift from my parents.

Tiffany watch: I bought this watch from Tiffany’s in New York. It was a gift to myself for starting a career with Opera Australia. I love the blue and the Tiffany diamonds.

Canopic jars: These alabaster beauties are my favourite piece from my travels to Egypt. It is a symbol of my adoration of ancient Egyptian history. This is why I am so drawn to the opera Aida.

Marcato pasta machine: My favourite thing to make in the kitchen is fresh pasta. After taking an Italian cooking class, I invested in one of my favourite tools in the kitchen.

My niece, Sofia Aroyan: My absolute favourite thing is this little ray of sunshine in my life. I am so proud of her courage and her strength and am continuously in awe of how amazing she is.