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| Emma Matthews in Lakme 2011 |
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| Soprano Emma Matthews |
Why do you do the job that you do? Because it's like breathing; I can't imagine my life without singing; it gives me so much joy.
Who has influenced you most professionally? Richard Bonynge. He has driven me crazy, and pushed me to my limits vocally and patience-wise, but there's nobody else I trust as deeply. I miss him whenever I learn a new role and I will always be grateful to him.
Is there any other profession that you would have liked to have followed? I did want to be a movie star there for a while... ha ha.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? A quiet beach with my husband Stephen, my boys and a big Margherita!
If you could have dinner with a historical figure, who would it be? Dame Nellie Melba – what a fascinating woman she was. I'd love to hear about how it was then, bringing Opera to Australian audiences as she did, and about all the adventures she had.
What is your greatest extravagance? My new cushions! Went a bit crazy over summer.
One thing you regret is…Living so far away from my sisters. I miss them every day. One's in London, with my beautiful youngest niece, and two are in Perth. Such fabulous women.
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| Emma Matthews in Partenope 2011 |
Who or what is the love of your life? My husband...and my two boys.
What are you optimistic about? The future. I'm looking forward to not only singing better as I head into my prime years, but also discovering and helping young singers. I'm starting painting again too...very much looking forward to that.
You would like to devote more time to…My boys. I've had the most wonderful holiday, just being with them. Time goes so fast, I love sharing in their day-to-day adventures.
What is your favourite food? Fillet steak with béarnaise sauce.
What is your most treasured possession? A beautiful painting of Dame Joan that Richard Bonynge gave me. It inspires me every time I go to the piano.
Which is the opera that got you hooked? La bohème, the first opera I saw live. It was a The West Australian Opera production with Deborah Riedel as Mimì. I'd never heard or seen anything so beautiful. I cried for days afterwards.
If there’s one quote that really speaks to you it’s…“Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. – Maya Angelou.
What is your idea of misery? Missing a performance because I'm sick.
You still hope to…Sing Ophelia!!!
Which characteristics do you most admire in others? Loyalty, trust, honesty and kindness.
You feel guilty when you think about…Staying in bed on chilly mornings.
What type of holiday do you most enjoy? Quiet ones with the family, where nobody knows me and I can sing Lady Gaga as loud as I like!
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| Emma Matthews in Tales of Hoffman 2001 |
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My legs…I need new ones! All this standing up and singing and having kids business has taken its toll. Plus an extra couple of centimetres would be nice!
Who is your favourite band? Well at High School it was Wham! Now it's more individual artists. I love David Campbell, Lady Gaga and Katie Noonan.
You spend too much money on… Cheap clothes! But I need them for rolling around on the floor at work!
Your greatest achievement has been… Being a Mum. Nothing could ever top that!.
The book everyone loved but you could not finish was...This Charming Man (Marian Keyes) sat on my bedside table for almost a year!
What is your favourite kitchen appliance? My kettle! I do love my cups of tea.
How do you stay up to date with new technology and trends? Facebook, YouTube, My kids and the new trendy talk they come home with, The Women's Weekly, my iPad and my imagination. :-)
Emma Matthews stars as Violetta in our 2012 production of La Traviata as part of Opera on Sydney Harbour, and later in the year stars as the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor in both Sydney and Melbourne.
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