VALDEMAR VILLADSEN

FOCUS is a new series of interviews with some of the world's leading opera singers. We learn about the everyday life of an opera singer, their artistic considerations and their private lives. 

Danish tenor Valdemar Villadsen is currently appearing in a leading role in Bernard Foccroulle's new opera Cassandra at the Staatsoper Berlin - Unter den Linden, where he has garnered great reviews. In recent years, Villadsen (affectionately dubbed the Scandinavian Villazon by some German opera critics) has become a well-known tenor within the world of classical music and opera. We met him for a conversation about artistic satisfaction, priorities and the future.

Have you always known that you wanted to be an opera singer?

No, but I have always sung. I was called "the singing kid" by my parents' friends, and I sang in a choir as a kid. But my greatest interest back then was theater and acting, so as a kid I wanted to become an actor. I wrote my first full-length play when I was 12, and that same year I performed Shakespeare's Hamlet on paper theatre - an un-shortened 5-hour version for a forcibly admitted audience. A kind of hostage situation that I believe was severely traumatizing for the carefully selected audience members that politely had agreed to attend (laughing). And after my high school diploma I worked as an actor professionally. But after a few years as an actor I discovered that I missed the music and therefore I applied - and was accepted - to the music academy in Copenhagen. I then started focusing mainly on singing. By the way, my career as an actor, as a young man, is the reason why I only started singing professionally relatively late and therefore - as an opera singer - I am kind of a "late bloomer". I graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen in 2012, when I was 32. And I made my debut at the Royal Danish Opera that same year. In the opera business, that's very late.

Do you miss being an actor?

No, because as an opera singer I have the opportunity to combine music and acting. And in my working life, that is my greatest passion: the combination of music and drama! So I have been lucky to find a profession where I can work with my great passions. 

What has being a "late-bloomer" meant to you?

I have been lucky. In an industry that focuses a lot on youth, I got the chance at a relatively late age. But I had some things  that perhaps worked in my favor: firstly, as a former actor, I enjoyed the acting part of the profession. And secondly, as a very high tenor, I am a very rare voice type. Tenors who have easy access to the high notes are often needed - regardless of their age.

But I was not a great talent. And I do not say that out of false modesty. On the contrary, I am very proud that as a young singer I was not a great talent. Because I am proud that I have achieved the level I have with hard work and discipline, especially because as a young man I was not disciplined. So I am proud that I changed that, became disciplined and achieved a high level vocally.

Why were you not disciplined?

I was interested in theater. In the beginning, the intense vocal training required to sing opera didn't interest me as much as doing theater. So the vocal craft didn't interest me as much as the craft of acting. But that changed, and now the vocal craft has become a kind of martial art for me. I love working technically with my instrument and developing myself. Suddenly, I almost can't live without it. That process has made me kind of craft-centric. That you've done your homework and know your craft is important to me in general.

Is that the most important thing in your life?

No, the most important thing in my life is my children. I have two, aged 4 and 8. And they, and my wife, are the most important thing in my life.