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In this interview, professional opera singer Jessica Pratt discusses the creative collaboration between herself and House of K’Dor who made her $1.8 million necklace a reality, what it was like working internationally and coming back to Australia after the pandemic, and those who inspired her to keep pursing her career.
My biggest accomplishment is feeling comfortable as my authentic self on stage. In operas, we can hide behind characters, but concerts blend arias with our personality, forming a unique bond with the audience. It took time to be at ease during concerts, but a recital at La Scala changed everything. Despite initial nerves, the sold-out event turned into a fun celebration with the audience, erasing the sense of formality. Establishing this connection and enjoying the performance made me realise the true essence of my achievement.
In Australia, there exists a more relaxed environment, yet simultaneously, workplace health and safety regulations are far stricter. Sometimes, I notice that the audience here is unsure about when it’s appropriate to applaud during a performance. In contrast, in Italy, the audience often becomes an integral part of the show, engaging in a lively back-and-forth with the performers on stage, creating a dynamic exchange that can range from joyous celebration to genuine critique.
As an avid reader, I immerse myself in historical novels and books written during the same era to truly understand the environment in which these women lived. I firmly believe in the importance of acknowledging the societal constraints that drove some of these women to madness. In many operas, it becomes evident that had these women been allowed to freely choose their destinies, they might not have endured such profound mental distress. These were strong, independent women who yearned to determine their own paths but were confined by a patriarchal society, depriving them of free will.
These operas, apart from Emilia di Liverpool, are ones that I regularly perform worldwide. Each time I portray these roles, they take on a unique and evolving character, as I strive to bring my accumulated experiences to the stage and find new inspirations with ever changing colleagues. Given the intensely dramatic nature of these scenes, I intend to utilise props, costumes, and lighting during the concert to accentuate the profound moments in these characters’ lives.
One of my teachers, Lella Cuberli, used to tease me with the saying, ‘Promise the girl a view, and she will sing anything.’ During the early stages of my career, I accepted a few engagements that might not have been ideal for a young voice, mainly due to the enticing destinations they offered. For instance, on my first trip to China, I had the opportunity to visit the Great Wall of China as part of the contract. Similarly, when I performed in Peru for the first time, the theatre arranged a visit to Machu Picchu for the entire group of singers. Both experiences left me with wonderful memories—exploring distant countries with fellow musicians, working and travelling together, and savouring new places and cuisines. It was a truly magnificent experience.
Out of all the competitions I participated in, I won only one—the Australian Singing Competition. Nevertheless, I found tremendous value in the ones I didn’t win as well. Singing competitions, in my opinion, serve a vital purpose beyond just winning. They provide a platform to test yourself under pressure, prepare for future auditions, and increase your visibility in the industry.
Interestingly, some of my early engagements came from judges who were part of panels in competitions where I didn’t secure victory. It goes to show that even if four out of five judges may not favour your performance, that one judge who appreciates your talent might offer the opportunity you need to kickstart your career.
For young Australians, the cost of traveling overseas can be daunting. Thus, I made it a point to enter competitions that offered a free flight to Europe, such as Operalia and Neue Stimmen, provided I reached the quarter-finals. Even if I didn’t make it to the semi-finals, the chance to study overseas for a few months before returning to Australia was a priceless experience in itself.
Having House of K’Dor design and create a bespoke necklace was an incredibly thrilling and special experience for me. Singing with Opera Australia only twice, first in Lucia five years ago, where I had the chance to meet and become friends with the lovely Maggie Beer, who prepared a dessert to celebrate the occasion, and now being honoured by the creation of this incredible necklace to celebrate my return in Hoffmann, truly makes me feel special! I absolutely adore how the necklace was thoughtfully crafted with the four characters of Hoffmann in mind, using Australian precious gems.
The necklace’s design reflects not only my connection to the opera but also the country where I am performing. The attention to detail and the symbolism behind the design make it even more meaningful.
Perseverance and hard work are the defining factors that set singers apart in their careers. Rejection is an inevitable and significant part of the journey, spanning from the beginning to the end. While facing rejection can be disheartening, it is essential for singers to learn to embrace it and grow from the experience. Building comfort with rejection is a vital skill in this profession.
Throughout my career, I have always held onto the belief that when one door closes, I will find three windows of opportunity. It’s natural to feel down after facing rejection, but the key is to bounce back as soon as possible. Focusing on the aspects that we can control is crucial—our practice, discipline, attitude, and preparation.
I was absolutely thrilled to return to Australia for “The Tales of Hoffmann.” It is a magnificent opera, and portraying four different soprano roles in a single evening is a great artistic challenge that I embrace wholeheartedly. This production marks my fourth time performing all four roles, and I have truly relished the experience of working with Damiano and the entire team involved in this production. The collaborative effort and creative energy have made this journey even more rewarding, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a fantastic project.
Getting back up after facing challenges is a crucial aspect of my journey. I believe in the power of self-reflection and using setbacks as opportunities to assess and improve my career and technique. It’s essential never to take anything for granted in this competitive field. Regularly reassessing all aspects of my career helps me to stay motivated to reach new heights in my artistic pursuits. Embracing a proactive approach and a commitment to constant improvement has been instrumental in navigating the ups and downs of my journey as a singer.
If I could give my younger self any advice based on what I have experienced and learned so far, it would be a simple yet profound message:
‘Keep going.’
Throughout my journey, I have faced challenges and moments of doubt, but I have also experienced the joys of artistic growth and fulfilment. Embracing perseverance and determination has been the key to overcoming obstacles and achieving my goals. Stay focused on your artistic vision, and don’t be afraid to take risks and explore new opportunities.
Most importantly, never forget to enjoy the journey. The pursuit of excellence is essential, but so is finding joy in the process. Embrace the challenges and savour the moments of success.
Janine has always been a part of music and performing. The first show that inspired her to go into theatre was the Velveteen Rabbit which she saw as a child, and Drew works to keep that magic alive in her work. When Drew was accepted into an internship program for audio engineering at a recording studio, she jumped at the opportunity. That was at the start of 2020, and so much has happened since then, both in her career and in the world. Since then, Drew has taken several opportunities to work at recording studios, concerts, festivals, and even large theatres while spending some time on tour. Drew's favorite by far though, has been the chance to work on Broadways and West End shows, as this was a dream come true. Drew is honoured to get to share these experiences from being inside the entertainment industry.
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