Devon Opera people
Martins Smaukstelis sings Rodolfo
Do you have any unexpected or surprising talents outside music?
I don't think I have a talent for it, but I do enjoy photography and technical things around sports, like bike building, fixing and such.
Beach or woodland walk? I am from Latvia where we have hundreds of miles of white beaches and most of our land is covered by woods, so it is very hard to choose. But if I have to, I will choose beach, as it can include a dip in the water.
Indian or Thai Curry? Nothing beats creamy Indian curry.
Mozart, Monteverdi or Massenet? Massenet for me, please.
How did you get involved in Devon Opera? I got involved about a year ago when I was auditioned to sing a small role in Puccini's Tosca.
How are you involved in our production of La bohème? I will be singing the role of the poet, Rodolfo, who is instantly charmed by Mimi. And this is where the whirlwind of emotions begins for both of them.
Do you do/have you done anything else for Devon Opera? Yes, I sang the role of Spoletta in Puccini's Tosca last year.
Why do you think Opera is important for Devon? I think opera is important to any society and Devon is not an exception. It is important to be exposed to all the difficult topics opera and other art forms encompass and generate a conversation. Art itself and the social aspect of going to see a show is also, as I hear, an antidepressant.
What are you currently working on besides Devon Opera? I am preparing to sing the role of Tamino with Charles Court Opera at the end of February and beginning of March at Wilton’s Music Hall in London.
What is your favourite Book and why? There are many books that have impacted and inspired me, but Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts surprised me by how many excited conversations I had about it with complete strangers while reading it on the London Underground. It is a compelling story that puts you in a completely different world, it's shocking, gross, beautiful, sincere and so many other things.
Dogs or Cats? Cats! But all animals are wonderful.
What is your favourite film? Fight Club. I still can't decide if I liked the book or the film more, they both are brilliant.
Your desert Island luxury? Notebook and a pencil.
What is your musical guilty pleasure? I don't feel that there are any guilty pleasures in music for me. I like to be exposed to all kind of music and I don't feel embarassed about any of it.
And most importantly, what is your favourite Opera and why?
It is hard to pick one and even though Bohème is very high on the list, I will have to say Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky. It was one of the first operas I heard as a child and the melodies got stuck in my mind since then. I get goosebumps seeing the opera every time.