Sinan Vural

Once an opera director who knew me well told me after a performance: “You were not the best singer of your generation, but you are always on the stage and you do a great job, because you love this profession.” I still think this is a spot-on observation of my musical and vocal identity. I have never been one of those vocal talents who naturally find the whole world lying at their feet upon graduation. But I like singing, music and performing so very much, that I fought all my life to be part of that stage. And I am extremely happy I have been able to. And still you can find me on stage, for example performing a contemporary opera in the open air under the rain, or singing Bach in a church, or singing songs by composers who perished in the First World War.

This journey has taught me a lot. I learned to use my voice as a reliable musical instrument with its own instructions for use. At times I failed, but I fought back and gained insights, probably much more than when things would have gone smoothly. I developed a liking for the collective nature of our work, always in touch with other singers, instrumentalists, stage directors, conductors, visual artists, costume and set designers, and learned to function as the part of a whole and to cherish this connection. I learned humility in the face of the awe-inspiring history of our playground. I also learned that art does not restrict itself to concert halls and red-velveted and gold-plated opera houses, but it’s everywhere around us. It is an invisible channel from heart to heart. Not only here and now, but art also connects us to the hearts of artists long dead whose legacy we keep alive today.

It goes without saying that I think this is the best profession in the world, and if you have the same feeling as well, I would gladly share all my experience with you, to ensure the continuity of our art in a world which needs it more than ever.

Photograph: Linda van der Holst