Young soprano grow up Sferrazza: “music is my whole life”

The beautiful, young and talented soprano Cristina Sferrazza will be the voice of “Donizetti night”

Born in Cremona, Cristina Sferrazza began her musical studies when she was six, taking piano lessons with Rosalia Dell’Acqua and then joined the “Padano Polyphonic Choir”. In 2007, she made her debut at “Teatro Verdi” in Castel San Giovanni (Piacenza) where she performed for several years. In 2010, she began her studies at the “G. Nicolini” in Piacenza. In 2011, she classified third at the “Gianni Poggi National Competition” and second in the “Young Talent Emiliani” competition; these acknowledgements raise the interest of Piacenza’s media and press and that led to a collaboration with the theatre company Crystal Mask with which she performed in Florence, Busseto, Turin and several others tours abroad. In October 2012, she moved to Bergamo to further education with the famous baritone Giuseppe Riva and later with the tenor Marcello Merlini. In November 2012, she played a part in the opera “Oltre il pensiero” by Dr. Pietro Mosca in Bergamo and in June 2013 she played Beatrice in the musical “La Divina Commedia” at the Municipal Theatre of Piacenza. Since 2013 she sung regularly in the theatrical company “Il Magico Baule” performing lyric, sacred, Operetta and Musical concerts. She was also on stage at the Reggia di Venaria Reale (Turin) during the 2015, 2016 and 2017 editions of the “Gran Ballo delle Debuttanti” with the musical L’Incanto Armonico. She usually works with the pianist Alberto Braghini; the duo has scheduled several concerts in the upcoming summer season. On June 3, in London, at 6.00 p.m – Bedfont Sports Club, Cristina Sferrazza will sing before the Padania – Szekely Land match for the third edition of the ConIFA World Cup, a tournament for federations not affiliated to FIFA.

For the performance, the soprano will wear a dress designed by the designer Enrica Bonifaccio, who has been curing her image for many years.

Who is Cristina Sferrazza?

Cristina is a twenty-seven years old girl who has a great love: the music, especially the opera. She knows that the music needs passion, but also study and discipline. This is why she always tries to improve herself and find new challenges.

When did you understand that music was your way?

This is a difficult question, since I don’t remember exactly the day when I realized that music would be my path but when I was a child I said that I would have been an opera singer once I grow up.

What are the troubles, if there’s any, that you found on such a peculiar path?

It is a troubled path… first of all the singers are themselves the musical instrument and our voice undergoes to unavoidable physical and emotional changes, so the real challenge is learning first to know and then to control your body.

The first rule that a singing student must learn?

The first rule is discipline.

Is the soul of a singer hidden in her voice?

Absolutely. If a singer did not play the hell out of his voice she won’t convey emotions to the audience.

What is your favourite aria?

There are many arias that I love but if I must choose the one that I like more is “Oh mio babbino caro” from the “Gianni Schicchi” grand opera by Giacomo Puccini, maybe because it is the first aria I sang in public.

Is there a soprano or a singer that you looked up to?

I have always looked up to Maria Callas and the precious teachings of my Maestri: Giuseppe Riva and Marcello Merlini.

What kinds of music do you like, apart from the opera and the classical?

I listen to all kind of music and I also like to listen music from other cultures.

How many hours do you spend praticing during the day?

A minimum of four hours a day, obviously not only singing but including physical activity, listening, studying of the score, studying of the character etc etc …

Do you think that in Italy grand opera is valued enough, even out of the temples of great music?

I believe that it is not valued enough: we should create more chances to listen and start to hand it off even in schools to create future users.

Have you ever sung in a stadium before?

Yes, but I was on the grandstand as a fan!

Why did you accept the invitation to sing before the Padania match in London?

I accepted that peculiar request because I usually sing in theatres, churches, open spaces like squares… but I never thought that I would be asked to sing on a soccer field!

Singing a hymn in a stadium involves a special training?

No, it doesn’t. My training before a show is always the same without caring where it takes place.

What are your future plans and ambitions?

I’d like to improve myself with new challenges and always live for music.