Pretty Yende: The Star Soprano's 'Journey,' From Africa to the World's Opera Stage [Q&A]
Pretty Yende is ready for her close-up. A graduate of the South African College of Music and Italy's Accademia Teatro alla Scala, the opera singer made her La Scala stage debut at the famed Milan opera house in 2010. In 2013, she wowed New York audiences at the Metropolitan Opera House, singing the role of Adèle in Rossini's Le comte Ory. Now, her life's work of opera performance is ready to be unleashed in recorded form.
Pretty Yende's debut album, A Journey, was released on Sept. 16 by Sony Classical Records; The Classical Arts caught up with the soulful soprano by phone for an exclusive interview. Read on to find out about Pretty Yende's fantastic journey -- the musical catalyst of her hometown of Piet Retief, South Africa, her opera education under the renowned Virginia Davids in Cape Town and the events that led to her first recorded collection.
The Classical Arts: Can you tell us the story of how you first discovered opera?
Pretty Yende: Of course, it's a great story. I was home in 2001 and we were watching TV -- like any other evening at home -- and there's this ad on TV, a British Airways advert, and they're using the Lakmé duet ["Flower Duet" from Léo Delibes' Lakmé]. I don't recall seeing the visual of that ad but the music struck me. It was something so supernatural that I never thought it was humanly possible. But somehow I knew it had to be something I know, because I felt it and it felt real. It was as if my soul knew what it was but my mind had no idea what it was.
That's how the journey started. I was 16 at the time. I went to my high school teacher and I asked him what it was, and he told me it's called opera -- I didn't even know it had a name. So I asked him if it was humanly possible to do, and he said, "of course." You know, "If you have talent, you can do it." I said, "Well, you have to teach me." Because it was so beautiful, it was so powerful and so loving. I mean, I grew up in a very loving family and had a happy childhood, but there was just something extra about it that I really wanted to be part of. When I was told it was humanly possible, I thought I needed to share that with as many people as I possibly can.
You studied under Virginia Davids at the South African College of Music. How did she inspire you and help to launch your performance career?
Well, one thing for sure, that I am forever grateful for, is that she really made me believe that my talent was worth it. When I got into the University of Cape Town and I heard all these beautiful voices, I felt like I didn't belong there because I didn't sound like them. She made me realize and help me to accept this gift. It was time for me to actually open this box, this gift that life has given me.
One time, she said, "Show me your hands." So I showed her my hands. And she said to me, "as an equal." And I said, "No, they're not equal." And then she said, "That's the beauty of life. That each and every one of them, they might not be equal, but they are valid." That as much as you acknowledge the greatness around you, you too have your own space in this big puzzle called life.
It was a really great lesson because, as you're aware, it's such a competitive world. It's so easy to try and sound like somebody else. I needed to have the courage to give my own gift; it has never been heard before, and that takes courage. I am grateful that I have people who encourage me to really give my own gift. With all the experiences, and all the people that I've looked up to, and all the information and studies, there is a gift that's solely mine. And I'm grateful for that.
Why the long wait for your debut album, A Journey?
Well, I knew that, as a village girl, I was jumping into the biggest ocean ever. And I grew up in a town where we don't have the sea. Even going to Cape Town, I was just realizing how big the sea is. It's important to know how to swim, so that you can enjoy the ride. You know, you won't be afraid of the waves and the current coming your way.
I had to have as much knowledge as possible. I was approached by Sony Classical immediately when I got to Milan in 2009. They were so kind to actually allow me the space to grow as an artist, grow vocally, and as a person, and have enough knowledge to be able to ready to do an album. I understood that, as a performer, it's so important to feel at home on stage, to feel at home in your instrument, because then it can say something. Then it can communicate.
