On the eve of the international day of poetry (March, 21st) and the World’s %geatre day (March, 27th), we have the honour to interview Olga Del Monaco, a world-known Opera Diva and UNESCO’s Doctor of Arts, poet and composer. We are curious to know more about her opera art, creative plans, tastes and hobbies.
Paese Roma: Olga, what is the Opera for you, what is it like to be an Opera Diva, what is the nature of an opera voice?
Olga Del Monaco: A voice is a gift of gods! To be an opera diva means to have the privilege and happiness of living in the divine world of opera music.
Opera is a blessing, a sacred delight
That fills the soul with radiant light.
A precious gift, a treasure so true,
Where dreams arise, where wonders come through.
Paese Roma: You have sung the main opera parts of the greatest composers together with the world-famous opera singers, directors, conductors and composers, Placido Domingo, Franco Zeffirelli, Ennio Morricone, Fiorenza Cossotto, on the stages of the world’s main opera houses like La Scala, Teatro degli Arcimboldi, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma in Italy, Opéra de Monte Carlo in Monaco, Zurich Opera House in Switzerland, Teatro Real, Teatro de la Zarzuela, Auditorium de Tenerife in Spain, Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, Carnegie Hall, Houston Grand Opera in the USA, China National Opera House, Royal Opera House in India, Egypt, UAE, Germany, Canada and many others. What are your favorite opera parts?
Olga Del Monaco: My favorite opera parts are strong dramatic and romantic female musical characters. Among them, the roles of Tosca from the opera “Tosca” by Puccini, the role of Leonora from the opera “Force of Destiny” by Verdi, the role of Mimi from the opera “La Bohe’me” by Puccini, the role of Santuzza from the opera “Rustic
Chivalry” by Mascagni, the role of Carmen from the opera “Carmen” by Bizet, the role of Lady Macbeth from the opera “Macbeth” by Verdi, the role of Manon from the opera “Manon” by Massenet, the role of Norma from the opera “Norma” by Bellini, the role of Leonora from the opera “Troubadour” by Verdi. This divine music of classical
composers makes me happy and inspires me.
Paese Roma: You are a composer and a poet. You write songs in the style of a “classical crossover”. Please dwell on your famous single “I love you more and more, UAE!”.
Olga Del Monaco: When I compose a song, poetry and music come to my mind together. My single “I love you more and more, UAE!” in English is a tribute to the beauty of the United Arab Emirates and the wisdom of their rulers.
“I love you more and more, United Arab Emirates!”
The United Arab Emirates
are like seven magical petals
of beauty and wisdom, happiness and love
I love you, I love…
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah,
El Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah,
Umm Al Quwain, Ajman,
I love you, I love…
The great noble geniuses of the United Arab Emirates are:
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nabyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nabyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoun,
Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi,
Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaim,
I love you more and more,
I love you more and more,
I love you more and more,
I love you…
I love you more and more,
I love you more and more
I love you more and more,
and more, I love you!
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, is a unique and very wise monarch. Thanks to the friendship and wisdom of the rulers of each emirate, the United Arab Emirates can be called a modern Switzerland of the 21st century. The United Arab Emirates captivates with their beauty, smart history of success, innovation, security, and openness to the world.
This single of mine, “I love you more and more, UAE!”, includes not only the eponymous song dedicated to the UAE, but also my songs dedicated to each Emirate in English, Italian, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese and Arabic.
“I love you more and more, UAE!” is my author’s musical performance in seven languages. It is a mix of music, sand animation, and light shows, which I perform with my opera colleagues of different nationalities, soloists of the La Scala Theatre in Milan and Teatro dell’Opera in Rome.
Paese Roma.: Tell us please about your single and the eponymous “Italian Christmas Ball at Carnegie Hall” Gala concert in New York.
Olga Del Monaco: Almost on the eve of Christmas, I wrote three songs, two of which are “Franco Zeffirelli” and “Ennio Morricone” in Italian, and one song “The Italian Christmas Ball at Carnegie Hall” for a duet performance in English.
“The Italian Christmas Ball at Carnegie Hall”
Ms: Your melody of love
is taking my heart,
I am dancing at the Ball
with you at Carnegie Hall…
Mr: I am dancing with your voice,
Let Opera rejoice,
And I would like
to say to you:
Christmas Night, Christmas Night,
Happy, lovely, all is bright!
Christmas Night, Christmas Night,
Happy, tender, all is bright!
Together:
Oh, New York, Oh, New York!
Our happy music walk
At the Italian Christmas Ball,
Viva Opera at Carnegie Hall!
At this Italian Belсanto Ball, not only my songs, but also other famous opera arias and Neapolitan canzonettas are performed. The Italian Belсanto, Carnegie Hall and the magic of Christmas create an amazing and unique atmosphere of “The Italian Christmas Ball at Carnegie Hall” Gala Concert, which I perform together with my colleagues, the soloists of the La Scala Theatre.
Paese Roma: What is Classical Music for you?
Olga Del Monaco: It is my life, it means happiness, inspiration, beauty, and harmony for me. I adore my audience. Opera concerts attract a special kind of audience! These are people who love and know classical music. Music is an energy exchange of goodness, beauty, and tenderness!
Paese Roma: What are your hobbies?
Olga Del Monaco: I like swimming in the pool and in the sea, skiing in the Alps, playing chess, traveling, learning foreign languages. Besides, I enjoy learning something new and discovering the entire world.
Paese Roma: What kind of cuisine do you prefer?
Olga Del Monaco: I like Mediterranean cuisine. At the same time, when I am touring around the world, I like tasting national dishes of the country where I am singing. The beautiful and delicious international architectonics of dishes is an attribute of the world’s gastronomic art!
Paese Roma: Who are your favourite fashion designers?
Olga Del Monaco: Perhaps, I have three favorite brands: “Gucci”, “Yves Saint Laurent”, and “Schiaparelli”.
Paese Roma.: What kind of perfume do you prefer?
Olga Del Monaco: I prefer the bright, sensuous aroma of the “Cinema” perfume by Yves Saint Laurent and the delicate, romantic “Coco Mademoiselle” by Chanel.
Paese Roma: Who are your favorite painters?
Olga Del Monaco: I love the paintings of Italian Renaissance artists, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, and the French Impressionists, Monet, Degas, and Renoir.
Paese Roma: As an Opera Diva and a UNESCO Doctor of Arts, what would you wish to the classical music fans all over the world in 2026 which is about to start even according to the idea of some antique societies who celebrated the New Year at the spring equinox?
Olga Del Monaco: I want to wish everyone to preserve the connection between the past and the present. In 2026, discover not only the classic masterpieces, but also the music of the forgotten composers of the 18th and 19th centuries. Listen to recordings of great singers of the past, such as Maria Callas or Mario Del Monaco, and compare them with modern interpretations. Classical Music lives on as long as we pass it from heart to heart.
From the bottom of my heart, I wish everyone to meet the music that will make your heart beat faster. In 2026, I hope you will have “your own” aria, “your own” concert, and “your own” piece of music to which you will return in times of joy and melancholy.
And if you come to my opera performance or Gala-concerts in 2026, please mind: I will not be singing for the “audience”, but for each of you who is ready to hear the voice of eternity in my vocal timbre and in the sounds of the opera’s Belcanto.
We suggest our readers to discover Olga Del Monaco’s single “I love you more and more, UAE!” by clicking here:
On all the photos: Olga Del Monaco during her singing performances and gala concerts.
