Sofia Livotov: Opera is a multi-sensory experience that has the power to transport audiences to another world

Sofia Livotov is a German opera singer who believes that opera can transport people to another world. The goal of becoming a leading singer has come true, and now Sofia shines on the stage of Opera North. Also, the singer actively supports Ukraine. She is one of the founders of the "Help Musicians Ukraine" network, which helps Ukrainian musicians find a home, a place to practice music. 

Interviewer: Let's go back a little to your childhood. The musical sphere has always attracted you or did you not know that you would connect your life with music? How did you decide to become an opera singer? Why Opera?

Sofia: Classical music has been a significant part of my life since childhood. At the age of five, I began learning the piano, and I was fortunate to attend opera and ballet performances early on with my family. While piano was a serious undertaking for me, singing started as more of a hobby. When I turned thirteen, I joined the Hannover Girls Choir, which allowed me to learn a lot of choral repertoire and go on concert tours to Canada and Norway as a teenager. It was during this time that my love for art songs, especially those by Schumann and Schubert, grew stronger. After completing high school, I was accepted at the Hanover University of Music, Drama, and Media to study piano. However, while accompanying other singers, I found myself yearning to be in their shoes. I soon made the decision to pursue my dream of becoming an opera singer and switched my focus to vocal performance. I believe that opera is a truly magnificent musical genre, as it seamlessly blends numerous art forms. With singing, orchestral music, dancing, visual arts, costume design, and technology, opera is a multi-sensory experience that has the power to transport audiences to another world. This genre can also be made accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, as its themes often explore universal emotions, relatable social issues, and contemporary topics. Overall, I believe that opera has the power to move and inspire audiences in ways that few other art forms can. Its ability to combine so many different forms of expression makes it a truly amazing and versatile genre that can connect with people on a deep and meaningful level.

Interviewer: What was the first big project you worked on?

Sofia: During my student years, I had the pleasure of performing as a soloist in Haydn's oratorio The Creation with the Sinfonietta Zurich under the baton of Joao Santos. Being able to sing the soprano solo part in one of Haydn's most significant works was a defining moment in my early career and will always remain a cherished highlight. I have always been thrilled by the versatility of a classical singer's career, which can encompass a wide range of pursuits beyond opera, including oratorio, art song recitals, contemporary performance, as well as teaching. I believe that versatility is a valuable asset for any artist, and I am no exception. Personally, I find fulfilment in engaging in all these aspects of the vocal repertoire and would never limit myself to just one area. The opportunity to continually explore new styles and genres is what keeps me inspired and motivated as a singer.

Interviewer: In June, you perfomed in the outstanding musical drama "Parsifal" by Wagner. Let's talk about this production at Opera North. What were the peculiarities of working with an already formed musical troupe?

Sofia: In June 2022, I had the pleasure of joining the Chorus of Opera North for their production of Wagner's Parsifal. It was an incredible experience working with such talented singers, as well as conductor Richard Farnes and director Sam Brown. Not only was the musical level of the production outstanding, but the atmosphere among the chorus and the entire Opera North team was warm and collegial. As a guest in a permanent ensemble, it was especially meaningful to feel so welcomed. This was also my first time performing in a Wagner opera, and being part of such an important production was truly special. I am therefore thrilled to return to Opera North for the current year.

Interviewer: What fascinates you about Indonesian art songs. We know that one of the albums was dedicated to this genre.

Sofia: During my studies at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, my partner and fellow student Satriya Krisna, an opera singer from Indonesia, introduced me to Indonesian art songs, a genre known as "Seriosa" that is deeply rooted in Indonesian history and legends. I was immediately captivated by their beauty and musical intensity. After performing some of these songs on a concert tour in Indonesia in 2019, we felt compelled to share this genre with a wider audience. We joined forces with pianists Prajna Indrawati and Felix Justin to record a couple of songs, which are little-known outside of Indonesia, and make them more accessible to European listeners. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we managed to record a short album, "Sounds of Indonesia" at various locations in London. We were thrilled to receive positive feedback and even had some of our recordings played on radio stations in Canada, Germany, and Austria. Our next goal is to record a full CD that will include more music by Indonesian women composers.

Interviewer: You are Ukrainian supporter. It's important that our German friends help us to protect our country in the war with Russia. Tell us more about your help to Ukrainians in cooperation with international colleagues as part of the Help Musicicans Ukraine network? I would like to know more about the project itself. How can people help?

Sofia: Help Musicians Ukraine is an initiative we started at the beginning of the war in February 2022. Back then, my friends and colleagues, Polish pianist Aleksandra Bobrowska and Greek soprano Danae Eleni, helped a group of Ukrainian musicians achieve the Jacob Shaw-established Scandinavian Cello School Emergency Residency in Denmark. As a growing group of international artists, starting with our personal and professional networks and the BYOM Academy community, we have developed a network of musical friends who can help arrange safe passage through Europe to residency places, further study or family and friends. All money raised through fundraising concerts and crowdfunding goes directly to helping Ukrainian musicians as they try to rebuild their lives and continue to practice their craft. In the beginning I was helping with translation work as I am fluent in German, Russian and English. However, soon came visa applications, travel assistance, university applications and everything that goes with it when people must leave their home country and move to a new country where they don't know anyone and sometimes don't speak their language either. When working as a team at HMU we hope that by supporting our fellow musicians from Ukraine whose world has been turned upside down, we will help build a supportive community in the classical music world as well. Who knows, maybe there will even be collaborations with some of the artists we enabled to continue working! If people would like to help, they are welcome to get in touch with us through our website or Facebook page. In the meantime, we have been able to support over 100 musicians in various ways, but of course there are many more people who need help.

Interviewer: Do you have new projects that you plan to work on? What are the future plans?

Sofia: After joining Opera North for their acclaimed production of Parsifal in 2022, I'm very happy to return as a member of the Chorus for this year's exciting line-up of productions, including Tosca, The Pearl Fishers, and Mozart Requiem. Currently, I am enjoying performing the role of the Owl in Janáček’s opera The Cunning Little Vixen. In addition to my operatic engagements, I collaborate with the Berlin based pianist Natalia Pegarkova-Barenboim on various recital programs. Our ensemble, Duo Primevère, focuses on music by women composers. This summer, I also plan to return to Indonesia with tenor Satriya Krisna and pianist Prajna Indrawati to present a new program.I am curious to see what the future will bring, and I look forward to continuing to share my passion for music with my audience.

Photo taken by social networks of Sofia Livotov