Inspiration Brigitte Tornay: Berufswunsch Opernsängerin

About Brigitte Tornay

Brigitte Tornay is a 23-year-old operatic soprano (full lyric soprano) based in Thun, Switzerland. She broke off her training as a painter to pursue her dream of becoming an opera singer, despite others telling her that singing wasn't a real profession.

Languages

• Fluent in German and French (sings occasionally in both)
• Good level of English
• Understands Russian (from singing Russian repertoire over the past two years)
• Currently learning Italian (essential for classical singing, as 80% of operatic works are in Italian)

Inspirations & Idols

• Marilyn Monroe
• Karl Lagerfeld
• French rock legend Johnny Hallyday
• Her grandfather, who introduced her to classical music during car trips to Italy

Training & Education

Brigitte entered the Bern University of the Arts with little theoretical knowledge but passed the entrance exam due to her singing ability. She had to catch up on two years of theory within a short time, describing it as "a hard road" with tutoring and occasional crises. Her second year was particularly demanding.

She is currently in her final year of a Master of Arts in Music Performance with a minor in Opera. She has been assigned a vocal teacher through the university and also receives coaching from a teacher in Italy at least once a month.

Musical Background

• Has played guitar since age 9
• Learned piano during her opera training
• Rarely listens to classical music in her free time; prefers electro-swing, jazz, and current charts
• Favorite arias are from Alfredo Catalani's opera La Wally

Vocal Practice & Performance Preparation

• Trains her voice up to three hours daily
• For concert preparation: discusses tempi with the conductor the evening before, has a morning rehearsal with a répétiteur and staging, then performs in the evening
• For full productions: receives a fixed schedule with role call times; orchestra rehearsals involve significant waiting
• During afternoon dress rehearsals, sings at half-voice and an octave lower to conserve the voice
• Avoids dairy products and alcohol to protect the voice
• Has never lost her voice but has become hoarse after five hours of intense singing; recovers by the next morning
• Wagner roles are exceptional: "With Wagner, you're on stage for four hours singing—by the end, you're destroyed"

Teaching

Brigitte currently teaches one student who comes for lessons every two weeks.

Auditions & Castings

• Receives casting information via email, phone calls, her teacher, and her agent
• Begins preparation three months in advance: "Practice, practice, practice until it comes out of your ears"
• Keeps a small repertoire of arias for emergencies
• Practices with a pianist before castings to ensure she can sing the aria securely with accompaniment
• Sends recordings to her teacher for feedback
• Typical casting format: "Queue—sing—go home"; if interested, directors may ask additional questions
• Advises against over-practicing: "The adrenaline rush at the casting disappears, and you come across as a robot"

Notable Performances

• First performance: Frau Luna by Paul Lincke (operetta)
• Also performed in the operetta Der Vogelhändler by Carl Zeller
• Played in the musical Kiss Me, Kate
• January 2021: Played the role of Adina in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore—a role she loves
• Upcoming: Performing in Puccini's Madama Butterfly in San Remo
• Has performed in Switzerland, Italy, and will perform in Germany next year

Career Aspirations

• Dreams of a career as a soloist and performing in opera houses
• Wants to become better, faster, and cleaner in her singing, and to develop her potential
• Plans to teach and pass on her experience to young people at age 60
• Aims to move to Italy and buy an apartment there, plus have a retreat on the German island of Föhr for recovery

Lifestyle & Philosophy

• Describes the opera singer's life as a "nomadic life" with no fixed residence
• Has never felt like giving up
• Fears illness: "Mild colds can kill you professionally—I can't sing for a week"
• Believes that with singing, you can earn a living, but must work hard during training
• Advises: "It's a hard road, you have to be aware of that. You should be courageous and not wallow in self-pity"
• Accepts nervousness before performances: "Nervousness is good. Accept it but don't make a drama out of it"