Page 301 - FINAL_Guildhall Media Highlights 2019-2020 Coverage Book

16 June 2020

Natalya Romaniw: ‘If there are tears to

be shed, I get the emotion out in

rehearsal’

FEATURESJUN 16, 2020BY GEORGE HALL
Her Madam Butterfly for ENO was interrupted in March, but the award-
winning, Swansea-born soprano is poised to continue her ascension when

venues reopen. She tells George Hall why she’s not wasting any time in

lockdown

Rising star British soprano Natalya Romaniw, unquestionably one of the most exciting

voices to come to prominence in the UK in recent years, is – like most performing

artists currently – at home.

Her debut run of Madam Butterfly at English National Opera was cut short in March,

and her next job – the title role in Dvorak’s Rusalka – has been cancelled altogether,

along with the rest of the season at Garsington Opera. How is she coping at this difficult

time?

“I’m up and down. I’m alone, so I miss seeing people – even just physically. I have my

little routine, as I’m sure most people do. Most of the time I keep busy doing exercises

or yoga, and I’m still going ahead with learning everything I was supposed to learn, just

to give myself a sense of purpose.”

This won’t be wasted time, as Rusalka is a role Romaniw is likely to be asked to do

again. She had also been learning another Puccini role for this year’s BBC Proms,

though it now turns out that won’t happen either.