Revelations from Rachelle

Rachelle Durkin as Violetta in Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: La Traviata

Revelations from Rachelle

When Rachelle Durkin auditioned for a place at Perth’s Academy of Performing Arts, she did not know what a treble clef was. Now the soprano, who shares the role of Violetta Valéry in Handa Opera on SydneyHarbour: La Traviata with Emma Matthews, is a regular at New York’s Metropolitan Opera, where she was a Young Artist until 2004.

Why do you do the job you do? As a child I acted and sang my way around the house. I remember wanting to do musical theatre when I "grew up". I auditioned but couldn't pass the dancing round and so I was rejected. Opera was my only other choice really. I auditioned for the Academy of Performing Arts in Perth not even knowing what a treble clef was, and was offered a place in the Certificate of Music program. I grew to love opera in that first year and now I can't imagine doing anything else.

Who has influenced you most professionally? Joan Sutherland. Her technique was flawless, and I have always sought her recordings when I am studying a role. I am inspired by many other singers too, as well as by coaches, singing teachers and even people who aren't in the profession.

Is there any other profession that you would have liked to have followed? I guess it would have been interesting to see where the music theatre thing might have taken me...if only I could dance, ha ha! 

What is your idea of perfect happiness?  Happiness is fleeting of course, and different for each individual, but I can only imagine holding your own child, your own creation in your arms, being the closest thing to perfect happiness.  Feeling truly comfortable in your own skin, watching a sunset, or doing something for someone else can also make you very happy.  And taking time to smell the roses does work.

If you could have dinner with a historical figure, who would it be? Jesus. I would love to see that water to wine trick. Seriously, I would love to see the man; I’d have a lot of questions for him.

What is your greatest extravagance? I don't care for shoes or handbags, but I do love food. I have paid a pretty penny dining in some of the best restaurants in the world. There is nothing better than getting all dressed up and sharing an exquisite meal with someone interesting and fun.
 

One thing you regret is...Not being able to see my family more often when I live in New York.

If you could have any opera character as a friend, who would it be? Probably Olympia (the doll) in The Tales of Hoffmann. I know she's not real, but I would love to see all the mischief she would get up to. I'd just sit back and have a great ol’ laugh.

Who or what is the love of your life? My family. I have the best family anyone could ask for. Down-to-earth, fun-loving, forgiving and honest.  They mean everything to me.

What are you optimistic about? Having a normal life.  Hubby, kids, a house with a garden, a dog and some fish.

You would like to devote more time to...  Visiting with my family.

What is your favourite food? Seared Fois Gras. Sorry my little feathered friends. 

What is your most treasured possession? I bought locket necklaces with the word “Sister” on it from Tiffany’s on 5th Ave in Manhattan New York, for myself and my two sisters. I wear mine every day. It keeps me close to them. 

Which is the opera that got you hooked? Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. I heard it in my first year of university and fell in love with the aria ‘When I am laid in earth’.  I cried on and off for days after hearing it.

Which opera do you never need to hear again?  I actually can't think of an opera that I would never go to again.  Quite often it's the productions that ruin the experience for me, not the music.

If there's one quote that really speaks to you its... I heard one from Doctor Phil, made in reference to arguing within relationships, that I thought was funny: "No matter how flat you make a pancake, it still has two sides" 

What is your idea of misery?  Being around ignorant people, bullies, or people who talk about themselves for hours. 

You still hope to... continue singing of course, hike the entire Bibbulmun track in Western Australia, get my scuba diving licence, travel travel travel, buy a really nice pad, and have a child...one day!

Which characteristics do you admire in others? Confidence, charisma, honesty, spontaneity, selflessness, kindness, patience.

You feel guilty when you think about... War.  I think about the innocent lives that are uprooted, and the pain that parents and children suffer, and I feel very guilty at how lucky I am.  It puts things in perspective for me when I think I'm having a bad day.

What type of holiday do you most enjoy? I tend to grab a guide book and plan full itineraries each day.  I think a cruise might make me slow down a bit more, and so I would love to go on the QM2 one day and be made to relax.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I wish I weren’t so hard on myself sometimes. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I don't like failing at anything.

Who is your favourite band? Don't have one.  I have thousands of songs on my iPhone and I listen to everything from The Beatles to Top 40.

You spend too much money on? Dining out.

Your greatest achievement has been? Coming from humble beginnings in Perth and landing myself a place in the Young Artist Program at the Metropolitan Opera.

The book everyone loved but you could not finish was?  Sorry Harry Potter fans. Couldn't get into it.

What is your favourite kitchen appliance? My Nespresso machine. I love my coffee.

How do you stay up to date with technology and trends? Easy, I don't!

Who is your favourite heart throb? At the moment, Ryan Gosling. Tell me one girl who didn't like the movie The Notebook!