Altos

Mariia Oparina

What made you decide to become a musician?

According to my mother, I began singing before I learned to speak. I’ve always wanted to be a musician — but weirdly enough, my first degree was in engineering. Intuition told me I’d never want to work in that area, so I went to music college and later to conservatory.

What happens to you when you go up on stage?

The feeling of being watched by the audience makes me focus and enjoy the music about to be born. When performing, you give a lot but you also receive just as much. I’m energized by the idea of sharing thoughts and positive emotions with my listeners.

What do you dream to perform?

While at conservatory, I got enchanted by Baroque music. It is stunningly beautiful, complex and challenging. That’s what I want to play above anything else.

What inspires you to create?

This may sound trite but I’m inspired by spring: the first flowers emerging and blooming under the bright sun. I also love sunsets. The beauty in the surrounding world inspires me.

What does musicAeterna mean to you?

To me, musicAeterna has always been a beautiful dream. I wanted to play here but I’d never thought I’d actually become part of it. I’ve had experience of working at ensembles where people treated rehearsals as a factory job: they just showed up, did the job, and left. Things are different here: people are engaged in music and art at the highest level of professionalism. Everyone here is required to intonate cleanly. This troupe is constantly moving forward, and it makes each of its members do the same.