Sílvia Sequeira - The emotion and strength of a young soprano with a "generous" voice

By Fernando Santos on 10/13/2023*

Emerging as one of the most promising sopranos of her generation, Portuguese Sílvia Sequeira is quickly gaining recognition on the opera scene. Possessing a voice described as "generous" and "the music itself", Silvia is attracting attention both for her unquestionable talent and her palpable passion for music.

In this interview, Sequeira offers us a window into her artistic journey, delving into her personal approach to music and revealing the deep meaning opera has for her.

After receiving the prestigious Wagner Prize in May 2023, Silvia was invited to give a recital after the General Assembly of Members of the Wagner Society.

"I see possibilities for a career as a dramatic soprano (Wagner) in the future, but after listening to Puccini, Cilea and Massenet, I think that we, as opera lovers, would benefit at least as much from this Italian and French repertoire." ( Peter Franken, Place de l'Opera , Netherlands, 2023).

Her performance of ' Dich teure Halle ', the famous aria with which Elisabeth begins the second act of Tannhäuser, not only won her the Wagner Prize at the 2023 International Vocal Competition (IVC), but also led to her victory in the talent contest MAX ARIA in November of the same year. This latest triumph secured him a position as 'associate artist' at the National Opera Studio for a period of six months.

At the Queen Elisabeth Competition, held at Bozar (Brussels Fine Arts Center) in 2023, critics praised Silvia's performance:

"The moment arrived for the Portuguese soprano Silvia Sequeira. The singer conveys a generosity that consecrates her as the true essence of music... Silvia Sequeira was simply radiant." ( Marie Michiels, Radio Télévision Belge Francophone - RTBF , Belgium, 2023).

The interview with soprano Sílvia Sequeira , directed by Fernando Santos (FS) , allows us to learn a little more about this young promise for the world of opera.

FS: Sílvia, can we start at the beginning? Tell us, when did your fascination with art begin and how did this manifest itself in your childhood?

Sílvia : Since I was little, I have performed for my family, using a magazine as a microphone. He sang songs he learned at daycare, but he didn't limit himself to that. I also loved painting and being involved in fine arts.

FS: You certainly had some influences along the way. Who were the figures who inspired you the most, whether in your family or idols you admired?

Sílvia : Without a doubt, my father was the main supporter of my musical journey. I listened to him play and study the horn throughout my childhood. My mother, with her full support of my choices, also played a crucial role, especially when I decided to give up the horn, my first instrument. She made a point of showing me that abandoning the horn did not mean abandoning music. Fortunately, after some time, my choir teacher informed my father that I possessed a vocal quality that could be beneficial to explore. So, I decided to follow this path.

"Music is my way of expressing emotions and connecting with the audience. Every performance is an opportunity to share a part of myself." Sílvia Sequeira, soprano

FS: On your journey as an artist, you must inevitably have encountered obstacles. Could you share with us some of the biggest challenges you faced?

Sílvia: Without a shadow of a doubt, the first big challenge came in 2016: the role of Fiordiligi, in the opera "Così Fan Tutte", by WA Mozart. I created this work in the context of the Postgraduate Course in Opera and Theater Studies at ESMAE. I remember, in the first piano rehearsal, thinking that I shouldn't have accepted the challenge, as it is a very demanding role. But I proved capable of doing it, and it helped me evolve a lot as a singer, musician and professional. Moving to Maastricht during the Covid-19 pandemic was also a significant challenge, but it is what got me to where I am today.

FS: And in terms of achievements, when was the moment you felt you had your first major recognition in the artistic world?

Sílvia: My first big achievement was reaching the IVC final in the Netherlands and winning the public prize and the Wagner prize in 2022. Although I had already won a Wagner prize in Portugal in 2016, this one had a different flavor.

FS: Tell us about your experience moving to the Netherlands. What are your current occupations and what has the cultural and artistic experience been like there?

Sílvia: My move to the Netherlands was quite tumultuous. Despite having met my singing teacher, Yvonne Schiffelers, with whom I studied at the Maastricht Conservatory, in 2019, when I was registering for the Master's entrance exams, we were surprised by the Covid-19 pandemic. I had to take the exam on video, a cappella, with the camera and microphone on my cell phone. The lack of resources in March 2020 was immense! Because they already know me from the opera Zanetto, which I performed in 2019, I believe this influenced my admission. The next three months were the hardest of my life. With everything closed, completely alone and with not very friendly housemates, I worked outside of music to pay for my master's degree. Living in a different country, with a different language and culture, was a shock. I'm quite proud of my persistence.

"Criticism and praise are important, but what really matters to me is the connection I can establish with the audience. If I can touch someone with my music, then I consider that I have achieved my goal." Sílvia Sequeira, soprano

FS: Is there any performance or project that particularly marked you?

Sílvia: Of course, my participation in the Queen Elizabeth Competition! It was one of the competitions that I most enjoyed doing and that allowed me to surpass myself. I had a lot of fun on stage and I can say it was one of the best experiences I've ever had.

FS: As an artist, what is your greatest ambition?

Sílvia: Above all, my ambition is to touch people's hearts, to make them leave a concert feeling differently. I want my music to provoke sensations, reflections and even help to overcome difficult moments. I believe in the power of music and I want to use my voice for that.

FS: What advice do you have for young artists who are just starting their careers?

Sílvia: I would say not to give up, even if sometimes it seems extremely difficult. I also consider it very important to be surrounded by trustworthy people who support and encourage you. And, above all, it is crucial that they love what they do, because an artistic career is very demanding and, without love, it is easy to get lost along the way.

*Interview with soprano Sílvia Sequeira originally published at www.proart.art

Want to know more? Watch and listen to some of their beautiful performances below:

You can find more information about Sílvia Sequeira at:

Facebook Instagram