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Interview with OperaWire

“Q & A: Sonya Yoncheva on Giordano, ‘Andrea Chenier,’ ‘Marina’ & HD Recordings

By Francisco Salazar

Soprano Sonya Yoncheva is one of the most unique modern opera stars in the world. Where most take the conventional path, the soprano tends to experiment and move in directions that are constantly surprising. She’s engaged with the baroque repertoire, the bel canto, works by Mozart, romantic repertory, and verismo with a fluidity and mastery that few of her contemporaries have managed.

Just take her foray into the works of Umberto Giordano. She’s performed “Fedora” and “Siberia” and is also programmed to world premiere his first lost opera “Marina.” It was a matter of time before Maddalena in “Andrea Chénier,” his most renowned opera, would enter her repertory. But where most sopranos would simply sing Maddalena and move on, she’s delved deeper into his opus. OperaWire had the chance to speak with Yoncheva on her exploration of Giordano and what the composer means to her.

OperaWire: When did you discover Giordano’s music? Did you know immediately it was a composer you would want to sing?
Sonya Yoncheva: My first Giordano role was Stephana in “Siberia,” in concert at the Festival Radio France in 2017. And I was immediately fascinated by Giordano’s direct emotions, the dramatic impact his music and works have. I love this verismo intensity that you feel in the gut; it is music you really need to live. It also felt like a very good fit for my voice, and it was clear that I wanted to sing more of his music. So I was really happy when the Metropolitan Opera, after this first “Siberia,” offered me a new production of “Fedora” for the 2022-23 season.”

[Photo: Manfred Baumann]

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