INTERVIEW TO SIMON ORFILA

IES JOSEP MIQUEL GUARDIA

Santi Mascaró and Irina Florit 1st year sixth form

Speaking about Simon Orfila (Alaior, 13-12-73), in the world of music and particulary Opera means an impressive voice and a big professional. We can define him as a very humble and nice person, who’s a great professional and also a serious person when work requires it.

How did you get into the singing word?

When I was little I always wanted to be an Opera singer or a comedian. I started in the Opera School in Mao, then Alfredo Kraus came to give a concerto. Somebody told him that he should listen to me because I was quite good, and when he listened to me he encouraged me to study with him in Madrid, at Reina Sofia School.

What troubles did you have at the beginning?

I had to leave Menorca at 18 leaving all my friends here, studying hard and alone, well, that’s what happens to anyone who wants to study. Which one of your teachers do you specially remember? The most important one is Alfredo Kraus, but also Keneddy Moretti, who’s today my pianist.

What does being an internationally well-know person means to you?

I love that people like me, and what I like the most is that my work is valued. I try to lead a life as normal as possible, by visting Menorca, my family and friends, as often as I can. My professional life has changed but not my personal life.

Do you have any trouble because of living on an island?

At the beginning I did. Alfredo Kraus came to Menorca once, by change when he listened to me. Possibly if he hadn’t come to Menorca I wouldn’t have had the possbility to study out of Menorca. If you want to be acknowledged, you have to move out of Menorca.

What opera did you first perfom ?

Don Carlo by Giuseppe Verdi at Palma Opera House.

Are you the first artist in your family? No, in my mother’s family, my mother, my aunt and my uncle have played amateur opera and theatre. My grandfather also had a great voice.

What do you miss the most when you’re out of Menorca?

(Smiles) Everything: my house, my horse, my family, friends, Alaior... everything is always missed.

Do you have free time?

It depends on the time of the year and the plays. Sometimes I have two or three weeks off,but sometimes I work for four months. Is it the singer work complicated today? Well the most difficult is to get into this world, when you’re in, you have to work really hard to be at the top by learning new plays, studying and taking lessons.

And what about the languages?

I had to study a lot when I went to Madrid. You have to speak Italian perfectly and also English. I can get by in French and German.

Is it difficult to make up your personal and professional life?

(Smiles) No!It’s not easy at all , because I’m always out and I have a very different life compared to my friends’ life. While they are here, I’m always travelling.

What person has marked you the most?

Alfredo Kraus, he was the person who helped me, he’s all to me.

Do you have any superstition?

No, I only ask for CocaCola in my dressing room.

What theatre do you like the most?

Lliceo in Barcelona, without doubts, I sang there when I was only 21. Scala in Milan has impressed me too.

What’s your next play?

Arbore di Diana, by Martin i Soler.

Do you have plans for the future?

Soon I’m going to Lime to play Norma, then to Paris, la Donna del Lago, after that, Oviedo, Montpellier...

If you had to choose, where would you like to live out of Menorca?

Barcelona, because of the high number of Menorquins who live there. Whats a normal day in a singer life?

Rehersal from 11 to 2, and then from 4 to 8, but if I sing with an amateur choir, you have to rehearse form 9 to 12.

What performance do you remember the most?

La Cenderola, by Rossini, I played it in Genova, where people clapped me a lot and that impressed me so much.

A moment in your life?

My first concerto with Alfredo Kraus in Aspe, in a sports center. I was only 19, I couldn’t believe that I was singing with one of the best tenors of the history of the Opera.

Short questions...

A wish: be happy, in all contexts

An idol: Alfredo Kraus and José Carreras (another tenor)

Food: meat and chips

A book: all the books by Garcia Marquez, as, El amor en los tiempos del cólera, Memorias de mis putas tristes

An actress: Penélope Cruz

An actor: Rober De Niro

A sport: horse riding

thanks for the interview