Carlo Vistoli answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Countertenor Carlo Vistoli reveals what makes him tick and what turns him off – from Bartoli to Kubrick, from Venice to his iPad.
Q&A – the Gramilano Questionnaire
When did you start singing?
I feel like I’ve always sung, since I was a child. But to be more specific, I started studying classical singing when I was twenty, and I made my stage debut at twenty-five.
Why did you start singing?
Singing has always felt very spontaneous and natural to me—almost a more immediate form of communication than spoken words. I was especially drawn to opera because, as a listener, I had become completely obsessed with it.
Which singer inspired you most when you were young?
David Daniels—for the beauty of his timbre and because he was truly one of the first real “operatic” countertenors.
Which singer do you most admire?
Cecilia Bartoli – a singer and musician without equal, with whom I’ve had the pleasure and honour of singing on several occasions.
What’s your favourite role?
The title role in Orfeo ed Euridice by Gluck – funny enough, because I didn’t really like that opera much before I sang it. But perhaps the most beautiful role I’ve ever sung remains Nero in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea – I’ve sung and recorded Ottone several times, but I’ve only tackled Nero once, in a run of performances at the Staatsoper Berlin in 2022.
What role have you never played but would like to?
Ariodante by Händel.
What’s your favourite opera to watch?
I’ll give you two: one from my repertoire and one outside it. Händel’s Alcina (and now that I think about it, Ruggiero is also one of the most beautiful roles I’ve ever sung), and Così fan tutte by the divine Amadeus.
Who is your favourite composer?
I feel compelled to say Georg Friedrich Händel (but it’s both a duty and a pleasure).
Who is your favourite writer?
Franz Kafka.
Who is your favourite theatre or film director?
From the past: Stanley Kubrick. From the present: Yorgos Lanthimos.
Who is your favourite actor?
Tilda Swinton.
Who is your favourite dancer?
I’ll mention a dancer who’s perhaps even more a choreographer: Mark Morris. It was his filmed version that introduced me to Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas, which was also the first opera I ever sang on stage (as the Sorceress – so yes, I debuted in drag!).
What is your favourite book?
The Master and Margarita by Bulgakov.
What is your favourite film?
Fanny & Alexander by Ingmar Bergman.
Which is your favourite city?
Venezia.
What do you like most about yourself?
My tenacity.
What do you dislike about yourself?
Getting fixated on certain things and freezing up when something doesn’t meet my expectations.
What was your proudest moment?
When I debuted as Giulio Cesare at the Vienna Staatsoper.
When and where were you happiest?
Probably on the day I married my husband Luigi – 4 September 2022, in our hometown Lugo in Emilia-Romagna, surrounded by the people dearest to us.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Two answers: Music, and Luigi – see above (otherwise he’ll get mad… just kidding!).
What is your greatest fear?
Incurable diseases, for myself or my loved ones.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To be more of a sporty person.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Managing to become a professional opera singer.
What is your most treasured possession?
A beautiful painting of a “double” flower that our friend, the painter Nicola Samorì, gave us as a wedding gift. That said, if I think about something from my everyday life that I truly take care of, it would have to be my iPad. It contains all my scores—literally all the music I use—and also my personal variations, cadenzas, and notes. I always make sure to back it up…
What is your greatest extravagance?
I’m rather boring in that respect… like everyone, I have my quirks, but I’m not sure any really qualify as extravagances.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Nowadays, I’d say being overly politically correct.
On what occasion do you lie?
I try not to, but a lie can sometimes spare someone’s feelings or serve a virtuous purpose.
If you hadn’t been a singer, what would you have liked to be?
A photographer. I love everything related to images, and I’d really like to explore the art of photography more deeply.
What is your most marked characteristic?
I think (and I hope!) my calm nature, combined with kindness.
What quality do you most value in a friend?
Being present and understanding in times of need.
What quality do you most value in a colleague?
Preparation and professionalism—both in rehearsal and in performance.
Which historical figure do you most admire?
It’s not easy to name just one person, and I believe that idealising individuals can be risky. So I’d say: all those who have fought for freedom in all its forms.
Which living person do you most admire?
As with the previous question, I won’t name a single individual. Especially given the dark times the world has been going through in recent years, I’d say: those who work for peace—like medical personnel who go into war zones and risk their lives to help others.
What do you most dislike?
Arrogance.
What talent would you most like to have?
I wish I could paint, like a real painter.
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
Being in a mountain chalet, the fireplace lit, a mug of hot chocolate in hand, watching the snow fall outside the window.
How would you like to die?
Preferably at an old age, but suddenly. Wishing for a heart attack might not be the most normal thing (perhaps there’s an extravagance!), but if it happens while you’re still fully yourself, I think that’s the best way to go.
What is your motto?
Πάντα ῥεῖ (“everything flows”) – Heraclitus.
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
excellent interview – thanks to both Vistoli and Gramilano. And wonderful quote: Πάντα ῥεῖ (“everything flows”) – Heraclitus.
I’m going to hear Signor Vistoli sing at Covent Garden next month. Can’t wait to hear him and I’ll take with me to the opera house what a wonderful human being he is too after reading this. Thank you.