+++
author = ["authors/jenna.md"]
categories = "Interview"
date = "2017-11-29T12:26:00-05:00"
lastmod = "2017-12-03T20:53:00-05:00"
preamble = "Russian mezzo-soprano [Aigul Akhmetshina](/scene/people/aigul-akhmetshina/) is in the middle of her first season as a Jette Parker Young Artist at the Royal Opera House. In last month's production of *La tragédie de Carmen* at Wilton's Music Hall, Akhmetshina gave a [\"devastating\" performance](/akhmetshinas-devastating-carmen-at-wiltons-music-hall/) of the title role; later this season, she's set to sing Mercédès in Barrie Kosky's production of *Carmen*, and Sonyetka in Richard Jones' critically acclaimed production of *Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk*.\n\nAkhmetshina spoke with us about her exhaustive love for her work, and her own opinions on that iconic figure on every mezzo's mind, Carmen."
primary_image = "https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1545409169/media/webhook-uploads/1512351647298/2017-12-02---Aigul-Akhmentshina.jpg.jpg"
publishDate = "2017-12-03T20:53:00-05:00"
related_articles = ["articles/akhmetshinas-devastating-carmen-at-wiltons-music-hall.md","articles/nashville-operas-carmen-she-dies-because-she-told-a-man-no.md"]
related_companies = ["scene/companies/royal-opera-house.md"]
related_people = ["scene/people/aigul-akhmetshina.md"]
short_description = "&quot;But I like to spend my free time with my close friends who&#039;ve become like family to me. I love walking in a park and my favourite place in London at present is Greenwich Park. It is a magical place! The more I get to know London, the deeper I fall in love with it!&quot;"
slug = "talking-with-singers-aigul-akhmetshina"
title = "Talking with singers: Aigul Akhmetshina"
+++

## Why do you sing professionally?

Because I cannot live without singing! God gave me my voice and I have been working on it all my life. Now I want to perform the music I love and give people the joy of hearing it.

## What do you know now about the singing career that you wish you knew 10 years ago?

I was 10 years old back then and simply loved singing… and I didn't think much about anything at that stage, happily! But I knew one thing for certain: I knew that singing would become my profession!

<figure data-type="image">{{% md %}}![](https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1545409169/media/webhook-uploads/1512352347711/2017-11-06---Aigul-Akhmetshina-as-CARMEN--ROH.-PHOTO-BY-CLIVE-BARDA-7.jpg.jpg)
<figcaption>Aigul Akhmetshina as Carmen in *La tragédie de Carmen*, Wilton's Music Hall, 2017. Photo: Clive Barda/ROH.</figcaption>
</figure>

## What kind of woman is Carmen? What do you think are some common misconceptions about her character?

Carmen is often misunderstood, she is a very complex character… I think that her insolent and provocative behaviour hides her vulnerability and even certain desperation… Perhaps at a tender age she suffered a lot. I love her very much and consider her to be a strong person with much depth to her character. I hope one day I will have an opportunity to show a different Carmen to my audience.

## How do you relax between rehearsals and performances? Do you have any favourite spots in London?

To be honest, I don't like to be idle! If it were possible, I would live in the opera house!

But I like to spend my free time with my close friends who've become like family to me. I love walking in a park and my favourite place in London at present is Greenwich Park. It is a magical place! The more I get to know London, the deeper I fall in love with it!
