I remember you in Malta as a young talented musician, before you went to the UK to develop your musical career. What was it that spurred you to take the decision to go abroad?

I always loved being on stage for school productions at De La Salle and I seemed to always be asked to sing in a lot of events. I studied piano with Fransina Abela from the age of 9 years old and I started developing my music making skills since then. It was a dream of mine from back then to study at one of the Royal Conservatoires as my correspondence piano exams where all Royal Associated Board. I loved the Royal crescent emblem on my certificate results and it is with great honour that I now have my Masters Degree in Advanced Vocal Performance with the said emblem on it. Little did I know that one of my childhood dream would come to fruition. It was during the MADC Panto 2004 when I was studying for my first year of Law here in Malta, that I met Gillian Zammit and Denise Mulholland who both thought I should develop my music studies abroad. I started singing lessons with Gillian who today one of my mentors and from the beginning we started working towards my auditions away. I did not know where I would eventually travel to, but the spark was ignited and it all developed from there.

In the UK you quickly found yourself working in the professional musical scene. What would you say have been some of your key defining moments?

As an artist you keep growing artistically throughout your career but the most valuable experiences are those when you work with colleagues who share their energy. My best two experience where at Covent Garden singing in Die Frau Ohne Schatten with fantastic colleagues who helped me transition into my role with only a few days to spare before opening night. Another defining experience was working for Vlaamse Opera on both occasions but more in Don Giovanni for the fact that from the music staff and the directorial staff came together fantastically. And the final defining moment was when I sang in Il Viaggio a Reims in Pesaro, home to Rossini, as part of the Rossini Opera Festival. I sing a lot of Rossini and being there, learning the true qualities of what makes a good Rossinian singer, was an invaluable experience. It was also unique to work with a long time favourite tenor of mine, Juan Diego Florez, who I was also fortunate enough to have coffee with one morning!

The ultimate true experience for an opera singer is when the director works well with the conductor to create a fantastic atmosphere and to keep authentic to the fabulous music! And in those three particular occasions everything seemed to gel together organically, which can give one a euphoric experience.

 

You were recently a finalist in the international competition BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. Tell us a little bit about this experience.

It was a once in a life time experience. Something that will stay with me for life. It was huge exposure and it gave me the opportunity to feel what it is like to be in the spot light on TV internationally. It was also a wonderfully proud moment in my life to represent my country! The competition was fierce, especially as there can only be one winner between both males and females. It was a great experience to learn how to deal and control ones nerves. In Pavarotti's great words: no one ever performs without feeling slightly nervous, especially a Tenor as it is without a doubt the most delicate voice to keep under control.

What are your plans for the next few years and dreams for the future?

I plan to carry on working within the Rossini and Bel Canto repertoires, since that will keep my voice healthy and youthful. Hopefully I will have more opportunities to sing these Rossini roles in even more established Théâtres around the world. Further on in years to come I would like to delve more into the French Romantic repertoire which according to my mentors will suit me well!

 

What advice would you give to young musicians who are considering a professional musical career?

Anyone can achieve what they truly believe in. There are occasions when I find that younger artists these days are maybe a little less eager to make certain sacrifices to truly break through to another higher professional level. It takes true drive, patience, time and dedication! One must also have a good mind to understand his strengths as well as his weaknesses and recognise which will work on his journey. Working as a professional musician on an international platform requires a lot of study. Even when one has peaked to the so called heights it is only then that one learns how important it is to keep studying to stay at the top of your game and to sustain a healthy musical career! 

It is also truly fundamental to maintain a healthy body which really leads to a healthy mind. It is important to keep active and also have other interests in life. Many international artist will agree with me on this I am certain; being versatile as a person will bring more dynamics into your music making which is what makes one truly unique.

 

Nico Darmanin will be performing in the President's New Year Concert at the Mediterranean Conference Cerntre, with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Joseph Debrincat, on Sunday 3rd of January. Donations from the concert are being collected in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund. More information is available at www.maltaorchestra.com, with ticket reservations on 2559 5750 and [email protected]