Tamara Kotova: We must move on

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-12 17:37

Tamara Kotova is an opera singer, operetta and musical artist, theater and film actress, owner of a soft lyric-coloratura soprano. For many years Tamara was the leading soloist of the State St. Petersburg Theater of Musical Comedy. The artist took part in more than 16 theater performances and played such roles as Adele in The Bat, Stacy in Silva, Marie in Mister X, Rose-Marie in The Duchess of Chicago, Lisa in Maritza, and many others. Today Tamara Kotova is the soloist of the legendary Broadway musical "The Phantom of the Opera", performer of the role of Christine Dae, for which this year she received a nomination for the national theater award "Golden Mask".

Tamara, when did you realize that you want to be creative? Have you discovered your musical potential?

From early childhood I sang and danced, arranged impromptu concerts for parents and guests who came to our house. But then I could not even think that I would connect my life with the stage. Participated in all matinees and performances in kindergarten and school. She attended various music and dance circles, the most significant of which was the children's studio at the State Alexandrinsky Theater. There I met my first vocal teacher - Inessa Leonidovna Prosalovskaya. This is one of the most famous Petersburg vocal teachers, in the past Inessa Leonidovna was herself an opera singer, and now she consults and teaches the younger generation. She was the first to notice my potential and offered to try the classics. We started with Italian vocalizations and Russian romances, and I started to get it right. Over time, I realized that the classical genre is closer to me than pop or jazz.

After the children's studio, did you have a desire to continue studying classical vocal? How did your creative destiny develop further?

At the age of 15, I already consciously realized that I had to move on in the chosen direction. She entered the Conservatory for an internship in the class of Nina Nikolaevna Arsentieva, consulted with Tamara Dmitrievna Novichenko, teacher of Anna Netrebko. Three years later I tried to enter the conservatory, but they said that she was still small and very fragile for serious vocal stress. Therefore, in order not to waste time, I entered the Baltic Institute of Ecology, Politics and Law at the music department of the theater faculty. In the 4th year of the institute I entered the children's theater "Karambol", and two months later I was offered to come to audition at the State St. Petersburg Theater of Musical Comedy. They were looking for a young artist with a good voice and professional choreographic training. And I, since I have been dancing since childhood, immediately became a valuable specimen. I was gradually introduced to new performances. In general, I was lucky. It was 2006, the “golden age” of Hungarian and Austrian operetta began in the theater - the best foreign directors and conductors were invited for new productions. I did not have time to come to my senses, as by the end of the year she participated in five performances with the orchestra and on the big stage.

Which of the roles you played in the theater are the most memorable and why?

One of the most significant roles for me is the role of Adele from The Bat. This operetta was staged in our theater by the famous Hungarian director Miklos Gabor Kerenyi. His vision was very different from the traditional interpretation: he decided to add an inserted vocal number "Spring Voices" to my character - the most complicated waltz by Johann Strauss. It took me two months of preparation to sing this piece. In general, my career was at stake: I understood that either I would prove that I could master the highest level of vocal technique, or they would write it off. Then Valeria Lvovna Lyubavina, a vocal teacher who sang at the Mariinsky Theater all her life, helped me a lot. She and I have similar voices, so she knew all the technical difficulties that I could face. And we did it! Having played the role of Adele, I began to feel much more confident and realized that I had to move on.

Tamara, why did you end up leaving the theater?

By that time, other proposals began to appear, outside the theater, at the same time I wanted to continue to develop my vocal abilities, and all this was difficult to do within the framework of the Musical Comedy Theater. There would be neither strength nor time. Therefore, I decided to leave the theater, where I worked for five years and played in 16 performances, and immediately began to tour with concerts, sang arias from operas and operettas. At the same time, she continued to study with Valeria Lvovna (editor's note - Lyubavina).

How did you end up in The Phantom of the Opera? Have you taken part in castings?

The Irony of Fate. The first round took place at the Musical Comedy Theater in St. Petersburg! I decided that this was some kind of sign and went, although I had never sung in musicals before. She came, sang the main character's aria to the commission and went to the second round. Then she sang the most complicated couplets of Olympia from the opera "Hoffmann's Tales". Then they checked my choreographic training. I went to the third round. In the evening after the third round, they called me and said that I had passed the casting. (Smiles.)

The musical "The Phantom of the Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Webber won many hearts. The plot of the musical teaches people to love no matter what. Tell me if the musical has brought something new to your life that you learned from the role of Christine Dae

Of course! The musical itself has greatly changed my attitude towards this genre in principle. This is a combination of singing, dancing and acting: if there is not at least one component, there is no musical artist. You must be able to do everything! We had the strongest production team. I learned to grasp on the fly. This is the most successful project in the history of the musical. He has been living for 30 years and continues his triumphant march across the planet. The realization that I am presenting the Russian version of this musical fills me with confidence, pride and responsibility for what I do. About my character, Christine Dae, I can talk endlessly. (Smiles.) An innocent girl turns into a strong-willed woman thanks to the two most important men in her life. The analysis of the role will take more than one page, one article will not be enough for this! I can say for sure, she taught me compassion, love and devotion.

How do you spend your leisure time? Do you have free time or is almost all of it occupied with participation in the production?

There is not as much free time as you want. But I am glad to have the opportunity to work in one of the most popular musicals of our time, especially in the lead role. The performance is played 8 times a week and is sold out. An absolute success! I don't want to miss something. Therefore, I will rest later. And so I love active sports: alpine skiing, rock climbing, stretching, yoga. I also love to read, especially books on psychology, they help in the acting profession. I am fond of knitting.

Will fans on the streets recognize?

They will find out. They follow my performances, come after with flowers and sweets. I was very lucky with my fans - they are very attentive, they conduct groups on Facebook and VKontakte on my behalf. I am very grateful to them. They inspire me with their attention and love. (Smiles.)

Tamara, do you miss the theatrical stage? Don't feel like going back to the theater? Tell us more about your creative plans?

I miss. And on the one hand, I want to, but on the other, I understand that the return will be fraught with a number of difficulties: there are certain plans, trips that will be quite difficult to combine with work in the repertoire theater. For myself, I consider only one-time projects. There are many plans. I will not voice it so as not to jinx it. In the nearest future - participation in a grandiose ice show, which will be held in Israel. It is planned for March. This is a significant cultural event, for which I am currently intensively preparing, rehearsing my vocal parts. Figure skating stars will take part in the show: Evgeni Plushenko, Irina Slutskaya, Brian Joubert and many others. I am excited and looking forward to this important event. I have participated in such ice shows more than once. It is a great happiness to be part of such a strong team.

What image would you like to embody on stage or in the cinema?

Gilda from the opera Rigoletto. This is one of the most powerful female characters in the opera. Both vocally and dramatically, the part is very difficult. It can take years to prepare, you need endurance, health and a great desire to fulfill it. In general, Rigoletto is one of my favorite operas, it is interesting as a stage story, in it you can reveal not only singing, but also acting potential. As for the cinema, it has always been a dream to play in some kind of historical, costumed film.

Blitz "Cleo":

- Are you friends with the Internet?

- I try, but I don't always reciprocate.

- What is an unacceptable luxury for you?

- Refusal of a good, interesting role.

- Where did you spend your last vacation?

- Cervigny, Italy.

- Did you have a nickname as a child?

- There were many of them, all derived from the surname.

- Are you an owl or a lark?

- Owl! Owl! Owl!!!

- What turns you on?

- I'm not a watch. You don't have to turn me on. You can interest.

- How do you relieve stress?

- Favorite person nearby, massage, sweets, reading.

- Do you have a favorite animal?

- Cats.

- Do you have a talisman?

- There is.

- What melody is on your mobile?

- Quacking duck.

- What is your psychological age?

- I do not know. Condition question. When I am fascinated by something, some kind of game, for example, I'm 5. I, in general, often fall into childhood.

- What is your favorite aphorism?

- The one who finds the exit is trampled first.