“State Opera Ruse offered me a chance that I will cherish in my heart for the rest of my life. A chance based on the talent given by God and on my hard work. A chance that I am certain will bring me fulfillment on every level, while the Ruse Opera House has gained in me an almost crazy opera enthusiast.”
Tenor Bogdan Lupea will make his debut as Rinuccio in Puccini’s one-act comic opera Gianni Schicchi.
Here is what the talented Romanian opera singer shared with Diana Dimitrova:
Дебютираш в една от ключовите роли на „Gianni Schicchi“ на 5 октомври в Оперната зала. Вълнува ли те образът на Ринучо, който въплъщаваш на сцената?
It’s not only his character that excites me. I am Rinuccio in my everyday life. I could even say that this debut came at a moment when I am just as in love as the character. The same moods, feelings, thoughts, dramas, joys. I don’t think there could have been a more suitable moment for a debut in this role. I am close in age to Rinuccio, and above all, we go through the same emotions of falling in love — with everything that comes with it. I can conclude that I am Rinuccio, and Rinuccio is my kind of person.
You’ve been with the State Opera Ruse for a relatively short time. How did You end up here?
The answer here is very simple. I arrived through the classical method — an audition. After three years away from the stage, which I took intentionally, I wanted to return to performing in a quiet city, in a good theater, and with a talented but, above all, warm-hearted team. It seems that God heard my prayers.
За първи път ли работиш със сънародничката си, режисьорката Mihaela Panainte?
Yes, it is the first time. Before this production, we had no personal or professional contact. I hope this marks the beginning of our collaboration, rather than just a fortunate coincidence.
She is quite demanding and unconventional in her approach, don’t You think?
Demanding?! Not at all. I have worked with directors who were truly demanding and even harsh. Mihaela is a director who works extensively in dramatic theater and brings a similar approach to opera. From my perspective, this approach is more than good because it brings out the actor’s side of the singer. After all, we are both actors and singers — half and half. Mihaela does nothing other than draw out the best from the artists and from the text sung by each of them. If I were a director, I would be much more demanding than she is. Comparable to the great directors of the world, Mihaela is even too kind to the artists.
This opera was performed for the first time on the stage of the Dohodno zdanie Building five years ago, in extremely difficult times. Now we will see it on our long-suffering opera stage. What do You think is its message?
Let the director answer that. What I can say is that I would like to see more performances on the opera stage that succeed for obvious reasons – sound, acoustics, seating capacity, rehearsal opportunities. State Opera Ruse is a monument of cultural heritage and should be treated and respected as such – not only by politicians, but also by the artists who step into this institution and take the stage, and no less by the audience.
The role of Rinuccio embodies a love threatened by the mercantile passions of the relatives. Is unconditional love possible, or do money and material concerns dictate the course of feelings in this world?
I am a perfect romantic. I write poems, compose music, suffer, cry, feel happiness, and radiate love (as I am doing right now). I can say that unconditional love is not only possible, but without it humanity would no longer exist. Without love, nothing would be the same. Money cannot dictate the course of feelings, only their conditioning. And in that case, they are not feelings, but merely mercantile desires. Fortunately, unlike Romeo and Juliet, here we have a happy ending. The two remain together in their love, and mercantilism is placed where it belongs — in mockery. So true and unconditional love is a necessity in a world increasingly driven by the desire to gain and possess. Love will always prevail because it comes from God, and God is goodness.
You are known as someone whose pursuit of freedom drives You to act boldly. Are You afraid that sometimes You might not be understood?
After faith in God, this is my next belief — freedom. Just as God created us free, even free to choose between good and evil, I too want to be free. This desire is part of my personality and no longer makes me act spontaneously, but even predictably in the eyes of those who know me. Sometimes I am not understood because society is used to being controlled, having a master, being told what and how to do things, and especially when. This modern society struggles to understand the desire for freedom. The freedom I speak of has nothing to do with human physiology or the use of substances or alcohol. It is psychological and emotional freedom — the freedom to not be afraid to speak the truth, to point out those at fault. The freedom to think and feel exactly as you wish, not as dictated to you. This almost philosophical freedom is difficult to understand, and that is why for years I have confronted a collective mentality where everyone thinks only of themselves and does not consider the common good. God, freedom, love — this is the motto that guides me.
How do You feel at the State Opera Ruse?
At the State Opera Ruse, I feel better than ever. I have been on many stages, but I have never felt like I do in Ruse. People are warm, kind, encouraging, they don’t gossip behind your back, they recognize your talent and hard work, and they want the best for you. At the State Opera Ruse, I found personalities and a heartfelt team from which, no matter what happens in my artistic life, I will never part. And these are not just big words — they are the truth. They know it because I have shared it with them. The State Opera Ruse offered me a chance that I will keep in my heart until the end of my days — a chance based on the talent given by God and on my own work. A chance that I am sure will bring me satisfaction on every level, while the Opera gained an almost crazy opera enthusiast. On this occasion, I have the opportunity to thank the management, the choir conductor, and my colleagues for being absolutely wonderful and for existing. Thank you for everything! And to you — for your interesting questions.
Photo from "TOSCA", Archive of the State Opera Ruse
