Andreo Castello, artistic director of the Tullio Serafin Opera Competition, one of Europe’s leading vocal competitions, said he was deeply impressed by the young talent he encountered in Türkiye.
“I came across extraordinary talents. Of course, they still have room to grow, they are young and have a long journey ahead of them. But I was genuinely impressed by the voices I heard,” he said.
Award-winning performers from the Tullio Serafin Opera Competition took the stage with selections from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.” Organized with the support of the Embassy of Italy in Ankara and the Sevda Cenap And Music Foundation, the evening drew strong applause from the audience.
Castello noted that many young artists from Türkiye had applied to the competition and said he also met Turkish performers during a series of workshops.
Speaking about the opera singers he encountered in Türkiye, Andreo Castello said the quality of their voices stood out immediately.
“I’ve always encountered beautiful voices and what I consider to be remarkable talents. Of course, they can continue improving themselves, but they are still young and have a long road ahead. Even so, I was truly impressed by what I heard. There were some wonderful voices. I especially remember a soprano and a countertenor, the quality of those voices was extraordinary. It made me very happy. I can’t wait to come back because I would love to do much more for these young artists, hopefully in Italy as well,” he said.
REJECTION IS PART OF THE JOURNEY
Castello stressed that discipline is one of the most important factors in building an international career in opera. He said young artists must continue producing, practicing and pushing forward without giving up, adding that rejection is a natural part of the profession.
“The first thing they must do is never stop working. They need to keep practicing and constantly improving themselves. They should perform for theaters and continue auditioning. When they hear ‘no,’ that should become the very thing that drives them forward,” he said.
Castello also highlighted the importance of daily vocal and breathing exercises and advised young singers not to imitate anyone else. He said originality remains one of the defining values of opera.
“Everyone should sing with their own voice. No one should imitate another artist. Talent comes from a person’s own identity and inner world,” he said.
Referring to legendary opera figures such as Maria Callas and Leyla Gencer, Castello said what made them unforgettable was their individuality.
“A lot of people say, ‘Listen to Callas and try to sing like her.’ No. Callas had her own voice, and Leyla Gencer had hers. Andrea Castello also has his own voice. I must sing with my own voice. That is what makes artists different,” he said.
MUSIC CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER
Castello also emphasized the role of culture and the arts in strengthening relations between countries, describing music as a universal language. The Italian conductor said the world is going through a difficult period and argued that culture remains one of the strongest ways to connect societies.
“Culture, art, and especially music are, in my opinion, the only common bond capable of uniting people without distinction. It is the one inner value that comes directly from the heart. Whether someone sings, plays an instrument, or creates in another form, it ultimately becomes a dialogue with other countries,” he said.
