On October 19 in Ashgabat, the Magtymguly Music and Drama Theater will host a concert "Hector Berlioz – 150 years of memory", organized by the French Embassy in Turkmenistan, the French Institute and the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan.
The famous French soprano opera singer Magali Léger will perform in Ashgabat. Magali Léger was a student of Christiane Eda-Pierre. In 1999, she received a diploma of higher musical education at the Conservatory of Paris. In 2003, she was nominated for the Victoires de la Musique French award ceremony in the Opening of the Year category. The correspondent of Turkmenportal was lucky to interview the singer during a rehearsal.
– How did you come to the idea of becoming an opera singer? Who gave you this idea?
– My mother influenced the adoption of this decision, she sang a lot. There are no singers in our family, my brother plays the double bass. And, of course, my teacher Christiana Dopier also helped me to do the opera. At first I was not interested in classical music, I was more inspired by comic music, it seemed to me alive.
– How did you discover such a voice in yourself? When did you first go on stage?
– I have a love of the scene since childhood. It all started with classical dance classes. I participated in many dance performances, and later studied the piano, but she began to practice singing by the age of 18. My teacher told me that I have a gift. But, as you know, a gift is only 10% of the path to success, and the rest is labor.
– What do you consider the most significant in your creative biography?
– In 1999, I won first place at the Paris National Conservatory. It was this success that opened the door to the world of great art.
– This is your first time giving a concert in Turkmenistan. What program did you come with?
– Yes, this is my first time in Turkmenistan. I will perform together with the Turkmen Symphony Orchestra. The first part of the musical evening will be dedicated to the memory of the French composer and conductor Hector Berlioz, in France he is considered the founder of the national symphonic culture. The second part will feature 19th-century French opera arias - Georges Bizet, Charles Francois Gounod, Leo Delibes, Jules Massenet, Jacques Offenbach.
I will be very pleased to address the Turkmen public.
– Which of the great sopranos had a decisive influence on you during your formation? Maybe someone from modern singers served as a guide for you?
– Anna Netrebko, I love her very much. She is a good singer and artist.
– What is your hobby?
–To sing, this is my vacation, but in addition to this, I have two children with whom I study, travel, read and watch a movie.
– What are your creative plans?
– Next week I plan to give a concert in Bahrain. But not opera will sound there, but a musical comedy with Josephine Baker.
– Do you have a dream?
– Sing for how much longer and more in life.
