Olga Peretyatko answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… singers’ edition!

Q&A

When did you start singing?  

My father is an opera singer – he still sings in the chorus – so when I was a little, I was always in the theatre! My first solo performance was at home on a chair with my family as the audience when I was three! 

Why did you start singing?

I just could not be silent! Singing was my way of communicating!

Which singer inspired you most when you were young?

Joan Sutherland was my idol when I started!

Which singer do you most admire?

They are a lot! Even now I observe all my colleagues on stage – there is always something to learn from everybody! 

What's your favourite role?

Now my favourite role is Adelaide from Adelaide in Borgogna by Rossini because I am singing it now.

What role have you never played but would have liked to?

Carmen.

What's your favourite opera to watch?

La Bohème.

Who is your favourite composer?

Verdi.

Who is your favourite writer?

Stephen Hawking; Stefan Zweig.

Who is your favourite theatre or film director?

Federico Fellini.

Who is your favourite actor?

Edward Norton.

Who is your favourite dancer?

Baryshnikov.

What is your favourite book?

The World of Yesterday by Stefan Zweig.

What is your favourite film?

Fight Club.

Which is your favourite city?

Lucerne.

What do you like most about yourself?

The ability to concentrate at important moments.

What do you dislike about yourself?

Self-blame.

What was your proudest moment?

There are a lot of moments where I was proud of myself. 

When and where were you happiest?

I try to be happy in every moment! Now, the biggest happiness is when my daughter Maya smiles.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Maya, my little wonder!

What is your greatest fear?

I'm afraid that I won't have enough time to see everything in the world.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would like to understand earlier what makes me happy.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

To be myself.

What is your most treasured possession?

My daughter.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My style of living.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Patience.

On what occasion do you lie?

Now never. Being honest is the way to happiness, even if it's hard sometimes.

If you hadn't been a singer, what would you have liked to be?

A doctor.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Purposefulness and awareness.

What quality do you most value in a friend?

Honesty.

What quality do you most value in a colleague?

Professionalism and ability to enjoy the process. 

Which historical figure do you most admire?

Che Guevara.

Which living person do you most admire?

My mom.

What do you most dislike?

Hypocrisy.

What talent would you most like to have?

To immediately memorise the names of all the people I meet. 

What's your idea of perfect happiness?

Being in the moment.

How would you like to die?

Sleeping.

What is your motto?

Stay kind always.

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