Five questions for Danielle de Niese

Lyric soprano Danielle de Niese was described by the New York Times Magazine as 'opera's coolest soprano'. They're not wrong. Rising to fame in the UK productions at Glyndebourne Opera in 2005, she maintains a career as an opera singer, and as a broadcaster presenting documentaries and competitions.

Danielle joins Scala Radio to guest present the fourth episode of '**My Life in Live Music**' at 6.00pm on Sunday 23 May.

We tapped up Danielle for a quick twenty minutes to find out a little bit more about her covering all of the important questions including musical influences, which teachers had the greatest impact on her, and to find out whether there is an art to loading the dishwasher or not.

What music has influenced your attitude to life?

My sort-of my mantra song used to be 'you've got the music in you' - the chorus from You Get What You Give by The New Radicals. It's a total candy pop song, it's great. It's like, you've got the music and you have this one dance left, you're just never gonna give up. And I feel that way about performing. I love the idea that you have music within you that you can be made of music.

Are you still the same person you were as a child?

I would say that in my complete nature, yes. And my love of singing. And my ethos of life. And my joy for life and singing. I think most people who know me who've known me my whole life will say I have not changed one bit. Which I guess is a good thing. I hope it's a good thing. It feels like a good thing. And I feel the same love and zest and joy for everything that I do that I did when I started singing which is I think a very good sign.

Is there an art to loading the dishwasher?

My teacher will say 'divas don't do dishes' but I do quite like loading the dishwasher from time to time. If I see a dishwasher and I know I can make more space out of it, I love to do that. I'd love to do the same with packing as well. I like to try to see like space organization. I could be caught you know, reorganising a dishwasher, or even a car boot.

Who is your biggest fan?

My Mum and Dad, and probably my husband too. I would probably say my Mum. Yes, my Mum is my biggest fan. My biggest, most ardent supporter and my biggest cheerleader. My biggest believer - the person who believes in me more than I believe in myself.

Describe two important teachers in your life outside of school.

My most important teacher has been my Mum. She's been the person that I think taught me the difference between singing and interpreting, which is not always the same thing. (although it is once you know how to do them together). I learned that by watching how she did it, and how she phrased and I understood how to take music off the page and make it your own and not just to regurgitate what's there on the paper. And another wonderful teacher I had is Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

She was my idol as a kid. She was born in Australia, and I lived there till I was 10. She was a huge star. My parents always said to me, 'Dame Kyrie is from the southern hemisphere, like you. So, if Dame Kyrie has made it, then so can you.' So that was a huge inspiration to me. And it was amazing to meet her in 2008. I met her for the first time I thought I was going to die of joy. And then I got to study with her as well. She is an incredible teacher, in addition to being an incredible singer. That is really rare and wonderful. I treasure those moments.

Listen to Danielle de Niese in 'My Life in Live Music' on Sunday 23 May from 6pm

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