By Sol de Maria Rodriguez
Lorena Mora-Mowry from Mujer Latina Today conducted an interview with Argentinean tenor Santiago Ballerini, who is currently in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a guest of the Cincinnati Opera for their 2023 Summer Festival. Santiago will be portraying Edgardo in Gaetano Donizetti's tragic opera Lucia di Lammermoor. Cincinnati Opera's Lucia di Lammermoor will take place on June 22 and 24, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
During this Spanish-language interview, Santiago discusses his personal journey and his role as Edgardo. Here are some highlights from the conversation.
Santiago's Background
Born in Argentina, Santiago never envisioned himself as an opera singer during his childhood. However, on Sundays, he recalls receiving a weekly paper that came with a vinyl record. These records contained music by renowned composers such as Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, among others. Despite his parents' lack of interest in classical music, they stored these records on a shelf. Santiago shares how, at the age of six, he played these vinyl records on a record player and spent hours listening to them.
When he was ten, Santiago began singing at church and was eventually invited to conduct the children's choir. His participation in the choir made him realize his passion for music. Subsequently, he spent nine years playing the piano.
Since his parents didn't consider music a viable career option (a common belief in Latin America), they encouraged him to pursue a college education that would provide economic stability. As a result, Santiago attended the University of Buenos Aires, where he studied Music Therapy and earned a master's degree in Addiction. He then worked at a hospital, aiding a group of individuals struggling with addiction.
During his time at the hospital, Santiago started studying singing to enhance his vocal abilities and support the therapy group he led. Seeking guidance, he sought lessons from Ricardo Yost, a renowned Argentinean baritone from Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. Yost recognized Santiago's exceptional talent and encouraged him to enroll at the art institute of Teatro Colón. Out of 250 applicants that year, at 26 years old, Santiago was one of the six recipients of a scholarship to attend the school. He had to start from scratch and learn everything about opera.
Arriving in the U.S. and Meeting Sherrill Milnes
Santiago continued his studies at the Teatro Colon Arts Institute, where he also received roles. However, he didn't complete his singing studies there as he won a contest sponsored by Argentinean patron Alejandro Cordero. This victory led him to travel to New York City to perform in concerts, where he had an audition that earned him a scholarship to study with the famous baritone Sherrill Milnes around 2013.
Santiago was invited to Milnes' house, where he had the opportunity to study and learn from him. When he first arrived in the US, Santiago had limited English proficiency, so he primarily communicated with Sherrill in Italian. Subsequently, Tomer Zvulun from Atlanta Opera offered him his next opportunity, and he has been working nonstop since then.
Cincinnati Opera and his Role in Lucia di Lammermoor
Santiago expresses his excitement to be a part of Cincinnati Opera. He had heard much about this second-oldest opera company in America and had it on his bucket list. After auditioning for Cincinnati Opera, he finally felt comfortable accepting the role of Edgardo, which he had been offered five times previously by other companies. Santiago is thrilled to undertake such a challenging, demanding, and psychologically complex role in Lucia di Lammermoor.
He finds Cincinnati Opera to be more extraordinary than he ever imagined, with the magnificent Music Hall and a vibrant artistic atmosphere throughout the city. Santiago believes Cincinnati revolves around art. He is delighted to participate in Cincinnati Opera's 2023 Summer Festival and hopes to return in the future.
Santiago extends an invitation to the audience to witness his performance in Lucia di Lammermoor on June 22 and 24, 2023.
Life and Music
Santiago regards music as a safe space and expresses gratitude for his career every morning. He firmly believes that opportunities and dreams are crafted through hard work and dedication. He acknowledges that not everyone has the same possibilities due to global inequalities.
Santiago continuously hones his technique and delves into the psychological aspects of the characters he portrays. He considers himself a romantic, deeply devoted to his friends, family, and profession. Despite opera being a solitary path that often entails spending a significant amount of time alone, Santiago is fueled by his passion for the art form.
You can listen to the full interview in Spanish here: