Dublin-born soprano Claudia Boyle enjoys a stellar reputation on the global stage as one of the finest voices of her generation.
Since graduating from the Royal Irish Academy with first class honours, she has toured the world to rave reviews. Most recently, she raised the roof at this year's Wexford Festival Opera...
On December 2nd, Claudia performs the role of Konstanze in Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio as part of the National Concert Hall’s Classical Livestream Series, and this Friday, November 13th, she'll join the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra at the NCH for a programme that includes Sibelius, Mozart and Beethoven - watch live on RTÉ Culture from 7.30 pm.
n anticipation, we asked her for her choice cultural picks...
FILM
A long-time favourite of mine is L.A Confidential. I remember renting this from Xtra-vision five times - those were the days! A slick film with a stellar cast who all act superbly. Old Hollywood glamour woven around a gripping crime story. Very ‘hush-hush’...
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MUSIC
Of course it’s The Abduction from the Seraglio. As a lyric coloratura soprano, the roles I sing definitely sway me when it comes to my opera choices which is a natural bias. Konstanze is a strong and formidable character who stands up to her captor. Her three arias in this work are mesmerising in their beauty and thrilling in their virtuosity. That’s me happy out!
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BOOK
Are audio books cheating? The wealth of them out there that are read so well is all too tempting! At night, I tend to listen to books and one that sticks out in my memory, both for its captivating plot and characters but also for the wonderful narration, is The Goldfinch by Donna Tart, read by David Pittu. I can’t recommend it enough.
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PLAY
I remember going to see David Harrower’s Olivier award-winning play Blackbird on Broadway on my day off while singing in The Importance of Being Earnest at the Lincoln Centre in New York. The play is so desperately poignant, thought-provoking and all too relevant in these times. I was lucky enough to see Jeff Daniels and Michelle Williams, who were fantastic.
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TV PROGRAMME
I remember when Gogglebox first came out, I said "Watching people watch television?" with incredulity. I watched it last Friday night on Channel 4 and I can honestly say the belly laughs were most welcome in the current climate.
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GIG
The last gig I attended that stands out the most was Springsteen on Broadway. For my husband’s 40th, I surprised him by driving him to the airport with the bags and passports secretly packed in the boot. I told him in the car park we were off to New York! There was a lot of planning but the show was worth it. To hear Bruce live, up close and personal was a close second to seeing my husband’s face.
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ART
Show me the Monet! I went to see an exhibition of Claude Monet’s work in London’s National Gallery three years ago. To see these exquisite paintings in the flesh is pure joy. For now, the framed print of Antibes, vue de la Salis in my sitting room will have to do!
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TECH
Probably an extremely boring choice here. I can’t get enough of Google Maps. I know there are most likely privacy, data protection and tracking issues surrounding this app, but when you’re a singer working away and navigating new cities it’s invaluable. From finding your new apartment to getting to the opera house stage door on your first day, I’d be quite literally lost without it!
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THE NEXT BIG THING
Boasting Mammy alert! My baby girl Blossom was able to sing back notes to me from about 11/12 months. She’s coming up to a year and a half now and is always dancing and singing. I definitely see something special in her, but then again, she could burp and I would gush! She rocks my world.
Tune into the National Concert Hall's Classical Livestream series on December 2nd for Claudia Boyle's performance of the role of Konstanze in Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio. Tickets for the performance are currently available on dice.fm. This Friday, November 13th, she joins the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra at the NCH for a programme that includes Sibelius, Mozart and Beethoven - watch live on RTÉ Culture from 7.30 pm, and listen live via RTÉ lyric fm.
