“That’s where I really started to understand
what it takes to be an opera singer,” she states. “You
have to hunt for an apartment and some church jobs
to pay for it, research the role you were preparing
for, practice and then perform!”
And perform she has, racking up praised
performances with many of the leading opera
companies in the U.S. and abroad. The New York
Times summed up her appeal in a review, stating,
“She is a beautiful woman who commands the
stage” and “is a major soprano.”
Raving about her vocal talents, the publication
Pizzicato raved, “Her beautiful and generous voice,
her commanding technique as well as the broadest
possible spectrum of feelings, allow her to make a
captivating drama of every piece.”
However, Ailyn recalls that her first engagement
in Europe was fraught with doubt about her talent. “It
was in Berlin, and it was a production of La Traviata
that didn’t have an intermission,” she explains. “After
the aria, there was applause, but it was fairly subtle,
and I thought I was bombing. So, I focused on trying
to make every appearance better. I gave it my all,
and still, it resulted in timid applause. I thought, ‘Oh
my God – my career is over before it’s even begun!’”
But when the performance was over and the
lights came up, it was shocking. Not only was there
strong applause, but it was a standing ovation. And
then the ovation turned into this rhythmic stomping.
It was wild. So, I hadn’t bombed; I’d had a really
great night. I think maybe it turned out to be so great
was because I thought I was bombing all night!”
LS
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this article? Email us at info@latinastyle.com
The Metropolitan Opera: 'La Bohème' - Photo: Evan Zimmerman.
Ailyn Pérez’ - upcoming Apple Music
exclusive release, Mi Corazón. Photo by
Chris Singe.
28 www. lat inastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol . 26, No. 1, 2020
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