Soprano Aida Pascu, winner of the Musical Romanian Heirs Scholarship and winner of the "Young Artist of the Year" section at the International Classical Music Awards 2024 edition, will perform the role of Mimi in Puccini's opera Boema on the stage of the German Opera in Berlin, in performances on December 6th and 11th. Aida Pascu spoke to our colleague Ioana Țintea about her debut on the Berlin stage.

Aida Pascu, in a previous interview, you mentioned that the role of "Mimi" fits perfectly to your voice. What new aspects of the character have you discovered in preparing for the debut on December 6th on the stage of the German Opera in Berlin?

Stepping onto the stage of the German Opera in Berlin is both a joy and a challenge, because although the staging of this production is classical, it is full of carefully constructed details that portray a slightly different Mimì. Here, as well as loving life, which we see in the first two acts, it is she who consoles Rodolfo in the last two, making her a strong Puccini heroine rather than the femme fragile we areperhaps used to seeing her as.

You have portrayed Mimì before. How was the preparation process now compared to previous experiences?

Working with different conductors always brings new perspectives on the score and interpretation. Each conductor and director will want different versions of the same character, of the music, and we have to assimilate each one and make them our own on stage, according to the requirements. This time, going back to the score, I can see more ways to approach certain musical phrases, and vocally I feel even more confident.

How do you perceive the challenge of always bringing something new to a role you've played before?

I think that besides the personal perception - which, as I said, can change over time, either from the way we see a role or from outside suggestions - the new comes from within. It comes from the fact that every day we are different, the performances will never be identical to each other, even if we tried. Also, spontaneity, so necessary on stage in my opinion, will always ensure freshness in the performance.

What aspects do you consider essential in building this character?

Mimì fascinated me with her simplicity, which I wanted to understand better. What I can tell you is that the priority is and always will be the score, how the composer sees things. Then, after careful study of the score, it is important to get to know a character, to study his gestures, the thoughts behind his gestures and his life story. Mimì is a figure of innocence, with a sincere and pure heart. This purity makes her even more attractive to the poet Rodolfo. She lives intensely and passionately despite difficult conditions. She expresses her love with overwhelming sincerity, making her an emblematic romantic figure, and her relationship with Rodolfo is full of passion and devotion, even though she is affected by poverty and her illness.

Vocally, what are the biggest challenges in approaching this role?

For me, Acts I and III require more concentration, which probably any soprano who has sung this role would agree with. These are the arias "Sì, mi chiamano Mimì" and "Donde lietauscì", the duet with Marcello and the quartet at the end of Act 3.

How do you feel in this staging at the German Opera House in Berlin, imagined by Götz Friedrich?

I feel I have found a vision of the character that I resonate with in this staging, a stronger, more confident Mimì, who carries her devastating illness with great nobility. The beauty of the details in this direction and scenography overwhelmed me.

What can you tell us about the collaboration with your scene partners? How were you received in the Berlin collective?

My colleagues are exceptional, both on stage and personally. I feel very well received and, as I think all Bohemian rehearsals should be, we have fun, which is important, we have a nice atmosphere.

After Boema at the German Opera in Berlin, what's next on your agenda?

I have two upcoming concerts in Italy on December 17th and 18th with the Solisti Veneti, conducted by Maestro Giuliano Carella, where we will perform sacred music.