Meet the musicians: Victoria Randem

Welcome to our interview relay with musicians from the classical music scene! Today we have the pleasure of presenting Victoria Randem. She works as a soprano. Here she shares her thoughts on classical music and recommends upcoming concerts for both new and experienced concertgoers!

Name, voice and profession?

Victoria Randem, soprano and just finished her contract as a permanent soloist at Berliner Staatsoper, now freelancer.

What are you up to at the moment?

Long summer holiday for the first time in a very long time :)

Most overrated composer or piece?

Hmmm... tough question! Maybe the Ketchup Song (but that's a guilty pleasure).

And at the opposite end... what music should everyone really get to experience?

Ravel - Introduction & Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet

Your last big concert experience - what made it so special?

I have to mention my debut as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro at the Staatsoper in Berlin as one of the biggest highlights of last season. This was special because it's the biggest role I've done so far, and it was also the role I did as a student at KHIO together with Emil Næshagen as Figaro. Unfortunately, he's not with us anymore, but he was with me all the time on stage in Berlin.

Which living composer inspires you the most, and why?

Unfortunately, I don't sing much music by living composers... But I was lucky enough to do ‘Sleepless’ by the Hungarian composer Peter Eotvös, who sadly died earlier this year. It was a very special experience to work closely with the composer and conductor of the piece we performed. And he also wrote just incredible music, especially for my voice.

Can you remember a single event or experience that made you want to become a musician?

I sang in the Opera Children's Choir in Oslo from the age of 5. I remember we did Bizet's Carmen and Marita Sølberg sang Micaela. It was so incredibly beautiful that I realised I wanted to do it too.

Another event was when my mum gave me a Destiny's Child CD. Incredibly good music and beautiful women who looked like me. Before that, I'd never seen it before... And I saw that it was totally possible for me to do it too if I wanted to.

Do you have any role models? Is there anyone who has been particularly motivating or inspiring to you?

Among Norwegian singers, Solveig Kringlebotn and Marita Sølberg have been great sources of inspiration for me. Solveig was my singing teacher for many years and Marita has been a mentor and friend. In terms of international opera singers, I'm a big fan of Asmik Grigoran and Angel Blue and my current teacher Abbie Furmansky. In the pop world, Beyonce is definitely the queen.

What does a typical rehearsal day look like for you as a singer?

I kind of practice all the time, whether it's memorising lyrics while walking around outside or listening to the songs I need to learn. But when I need to get technical, I set aside several hours to just sing. If I have to sing a long and demanding role, I often do this every day with a pianist, many weeks in advance.

What is the biggest difference between performing as a singer and being an instrumentalist, in your opinion?

I played the cello for many years, which was an incredible experience. In my opinion, it's the most beautiful string instrument and the one that most closely resembles the human voice. But what I always felt was missing was being able to tell the story behind the music with words and also being able to move. As a singer, I get that opportunity to a much greater extent. I'd say the biggest difference lies there.

What do you feel are the biggest challenges of being a singer?

Getting sick or catching a cold before a concert or performance is always a danger and can be devastating. This is a big fear and challenge for us. So it's all about drinking your cranberry juice and staying fit!

And what's the best thing about being a singer?

Getting to sing, of course! Being able to share the joy and the music with others. It's the ultimate win-win situation. We're storytellers and it's an amazing feeling to be on stage.

Do you have any advice for ‘new listeners’ who are curious about classical music and don't go to concerts very often?

Keep an open mind and don't take it too seriously.!

Any upcoming concerts you would recommend?

I'll be singing with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra on 22 August - a full evening of Grieg. It's some of the most beautiful and romantic music there is. I'm really looking forward to it and recommend everyone to come. It's free admission and open air.

Finally, who would you like to challenge to take over the baton?

I would like to nominate pianist Stefan Zlatanos!

REFERENCE: https://liveklassisk.com/en/news/meet_the_musicians_victoria_randem