Opera Australia’s Carmen star Danielle de Niese gives her travel tips
Protecting her precious vocal cords is a priority on long-haul flights, and leading soprano Danielle de Niese doesn’t take any chances.
Before Danielle de Niese was one of the opera world’s most sought-after sopranos she was the youngest winner in the history of Young Talent Time at the age of nine. By 16, she had already added the title of Emmy award-winner to her resume. The journey from talent contestant to soprano stardom has taken de Niese across the globe but Australia, specifically Melbourne, is where it all began.
“I was born here. It’s the country that gave me all my dreams and opportunities,” says de Niese, who was first taught by her mother before beginning classical voice training at age eight.
Within two years de Niese and her family moved to Los Angeles and eventually, during her high school years, settled just outside New York as she prepared to make her Broadway debut in Les Miserables. She credits her love of a roving lifestyle to her parents, who first immigrated to Australia from Sri Lanka as teenagers and later embraced the constant change for the sake of de Niese’s career.
“My parents definitely had this young-generation travelling spirit. I’m very lucky they followed their instinct. They weren’t on some sort of mission, they just knew what qualified professionals were seeing in me.”
If she hadn’t cemented her star status by making a cameo in Ridley Scott’s 2001 Hannibal, she certainly put her name on the map when she performed as Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare at one of the world’s most prestigious opera events, The Glyndebourne Festival. It was here she met Gus Christie, executive chairman of the festival and grandson of its founders, who became her partner in love and opera. In similarly serendipitous circumstances, the original Christie, too, had married a soprano.
Though de Niese now calls Britain home, she remains especially fond of Australia. She returned in 2018 to make her Opera Australia debut in Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow.
“I remember I was performing on New Year’s Eve around the time [the Joan Sutherland Theatre in] the Sydney Opera House reopened. It was one of the dreamiest moments of my career,” she says. “I’ve been dying to come back ever since.”
De Niese’s wish to return has been granted; she is performing in the title role in Georges Bizet’s sultry classic Carmen in Sydney and Melbourne.
“I honestly don’t think I would have stuck with becoming an opera singer if I hadn’t had my first classical lesson in Melbourne,” says de Niese. “And (Opera Australia), well ... it’s one of the most stunning companies.”
Can’t fly without
On a plane, humidity goes down to about 15 per cent when it’s normally 35 to 50 per cent in the regular air we breathe. I always bring vaseline, which is great for coating the nose and under the eyes. Singers will also never drink alcohol on a plane or take any menthol throat lozenges or eucalyptus drops. I just drink water straight. For something more high end I’ll bring my humidifier. I don’t care if it makes me look silly. I can still be heard through it when I talk.
Walk this way
Glyndebourne, which is in East Sussex, sits on the South Downs along the southeast coast of England. It’s this huge pathway of hillsides, which you could walk for a long, long way if you wanted. There’s these amazing walks up to Mount Caburn. One of our favourite hidden spots is Hope Gap, just shy of Seaford. It’s one of the only sandy beaches. Cuckmere Haven is another one we love.
Where to eat in London
I don’t stay often in London but I do sing a lot at Covent Garden. When I’m in a mad rush, I will always go to Sticks’n’Sushi because it’s so reliable. Right nearby is Balthazar, a spot I will often pop into just after I finish performing. Another restaurant is Giovanni’s of Covent Garden. It’s run by the sweetest guy, Pino, who’s got my photo on the wall.
London’s best theatre
I love to go to shows in London. The Bridge Theatre stages some really great work. It was founded by director Nick Hytner, who I’ve worked with before. I also think going to the West End is one of those things that can seem touristy, but it is the place to be if you want to see some fantastic pieces of theatre. For example, I love seeing productions of David Hare’s plays and the great works of Sam Mendes.
Sri Lankan jewels
My whole adult life I’d never been to Sri Lanka. I finally went in 2012 to perform for the prime minister. The most amazing part, though, was that every story my parents had told about their idyllic upbringing over there was true. I love the uniqueness of this tiny place. I’ve seen lots of areas, such as Tangalle, Colombo and Arugam Bay, but I think Galle is really beautiful. The hotel I would recommend is Jetwing Lighthouse. It was designed by influential Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, and oh my goodness, the spiral staircase is incredible.
Why I love LA
I absolutely love LA. My parents are now living in Santa Monica, so whenever we visit we’ll stay at the lovely Shutters on the Beach. While we’re there, we love to bike ride between Venice and Santa Monica. It’s a real luxury to be able to get on your bike in the middle of winter. Along the ride we stop at totally not-fancy places on the boardwalk, like Perry’s. It’s so low key but it’s the kind of spot where you can have some real fun times.
Carmen is at the Sydney Opera House until September 19 and Regent Theatre, Melbourne, November 15-25.
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