This woman is absolutely sensational - as an engaged citizen and as a perpetual student of her craft. Phenomenal.

Incredibly honest interview- mandatory viewing for aspiring musicians!

This is so wonderful and encouraging. Thank you Joyce! Those comments can do such damage to so many of us! I was told at age 18 that it's too late for me to become an opera singer. 18! I had to face a major health crisis at 32 to allow myself, no, force myself to start singing again. First time on the stage singing arias with orchestra? I was 45!

She's such a lovely human being. I just love her. She is so soft-spoken, intelligent, authentic, measured. A pleasure to listen to even when she's talking. I belong to the people who have never seen her live but have devoured her videos. I think this is the good side of social media, a well of information, of instruction, of self-improvement available to all. As an amateur baritone and opera nerd I've learned from her master classes (some are available here) and enjoyed her singing. My dream would be that of taking at least a few lesson from her even if I'm certainly not on a par with the very fine students she has in her mc.

Back in 1978 I listened to the bassonist of the National Symphony talking about the multitudes who loved music and thought they wanted to make it their profession. "For every opening in the orchestra, there are 100 applicants. Most are not going to realize their dream." Imagine how many more people there are now, inspired to pursue a music career in an era of reduced resources and available opportunities. Ya gotta really be special and committed. Good luck to you all!

Aside from being a superlative performer of a wide variety of opera... much like Frederica von Stade, Joyce DiDonato is sincere, humble, engaged, compassionate, generous and self-aware. It's no wonder why she is so beloved by her fans and other singers. She is a treasure.

I always wanted to be an opera singer...since I was 6 years old. I think I chose not to because of what she talks about in this interview. It is so rigid and there is no room to “feel”. My guidance counselor in high school also laughed at me when I said it. That changed my entire path. Never thought I was good enough. Kicking myself now. 😔 I am still singing and learning. You cannot change who you are and what you are passionate about.

living in the southern hemisphere I have never seen Joyce DiDonato, so I feel very lucky to live in the digital age. it was great to hear from such a citizen of the world as well as beautiful singer. she brings joy and energy to performance and lately I see more passion too and suffering with roles like Agrippina and Dido .Zoltan your conversational technique is unsurpassed. you really draw people into a reflective mindset .

As a person who has studied singing for many years, i know the truth of what Joyce says. It is very true; we are all not meant to be top level, or even secondary level artists. I have struggled with this for years. There are so many disappointments and heartaches to have a "career". There is too much else in the world, and life is short! I really appreciate this sincere, intelligent interview with a great artist.

I had already seen this interview. I recently met Joyce DiDonato personally and when I heard her again here, I can only confirm how wonderful she is as a person and an artist. Her empathy and sensitivity make you feel that special "tune" that goes beyond the stage. Congratulations also to the interviewer, another great artist, no doubt!

Joyce is a gem to the world. Immediately when I heard she did Dido's Lament (one of my top favourite arias of all time) at the Stonewall Inn, especially as a gay man, brought me to tears because of the sheer beauty of the aria from a purely musical perspective, but also from a standpoint of what the message of the aria is. Her sheer humanity and kind of anti-diva personality is something purely unmatched. She is not only down to earth, but her expression, and her many messages given throughout this interview solidify her as a pure gem and treasure not only to classical music, but to the whole world. Thank you so much for this interview!!!

She is just so natural and unpretentious.....apart from everything else ofcourse

Every young musician should hear and see this. True and honnest words, from a wonderful person and musician.

The BEST art can do - to be encouraging, to offer a chance to regain courage, the courage to live, to live and love life. To breathe.

Joyce is one of the people I admire the most. Her deep compassion for the suffering of mankind and longing for harmony is inspirational. I was hanging on every word while she described her deepest feelings about her life and career. As an opera singer she is astonishing. Her teaching online and advice about being true to yourself have helped me so much in my attempts to sing with love. Thank you dear Joyce.

This is just the most beautiful woman I have heard from re: music world today. Thank you so very much for sharing this!

I saw Joyce DiDonato sing Elena in La Donna Di Lago at the Santa Fe Opera. I was so mesmerized by her aria in the third act that I still cry whenever I think of it. She is a gift to the world.

This is a remarkable person. Totally inspiring and captivating.

What a great interview! I love the way Mr. Bognar expresses himself with kindness and humility towards his guests and has always researched thoroughly their lives in order to present them with intricate questions. That being said, it's enjoyable to see DiDonato struggle to answer the difficult questions about how it is to be on stage and how she balances between technique and meaning in her performances. She is definitely a top artist and a wonderful person. All in all this is one enjoyable and inspiring interview. I couldn't tell how 40 minutes passed!

I just love her!!!, from Costa Rica

I like Joyce Didonato, she such a warm person.

I love this lady.... ❤️❤️❤️❤️ so artistically intelligent...hearing her interview helps me become smarter with my art making Thank you From Melbourne Australia:-)

What A lovely interview. Zsolt and Joyce just made friendship bloom on camera. The most thoughtful questions got the most thoughtful answers. Thank you for this wonderful, intimate experience.

Breath of fresh air are her words. Spoken or sung... THANK YOU.

I am serious here. I have nothing but complete love and respect for this lady. She is amazing!!!!

Even beyond her shimmering, glimmering voice, is her heart of sincerity

What a splendid human being she is! Many thanks for this deep interview.

Find things from within yourself - one of the most meaningful interviews. Thank you!

What an extraordinary woman! Joyce is beautiful inside and out, and has a truly gorgeous voice.

She isa phenomenon ! For her tokeep growing and to reinvent yourself at 28in the very confining place of classical music . Breaking away ! Life itself .I'm a pianist but Ifollow her classes religiously .Eachone a mini-bible giving truths about life worth watching over and over . " Look at oneself " "Know thyself " I'm 54 and stilllearning ! Doing is not thinking is not immediate being . A GREAT TEACHER ! GROUNDED !

A wonderful human being, that is all what matters !!

Love this woman

She is sso genuine & sincere... down to earth artist ever. Only Joyce Didonato can do this. Brava! Thank you so much! #BeautifulWoman #SuchInspiration #PowerfulWoman

The interviewer ist really sweet.

I have been watching the nightly streams of archived performances at The Met with my 14 year old daughter who now adores opera as a result. Tonight we were watching Cendrillion (again) when our connection failed, so we found this engaging conversation with Joyce DiDonato whose work we have so enjoyed. Not only was it a pleasure to learn who Joyce D. is as a person but I was truly inspired by her descriptions of how she rides the crest of the wave of passion, authenticity and mastery to create experiences for her audience that shift them to a new emotional place. A skillful and intimate interview. Bravo. (Not the south pole but we live at the Mexico/Guatemala border)

the part i admire and love Joyce D. a lot is her sense of justice and humanity. Thank you

Love her!!!!!

Best description of how artistic performance cannot be divorced from personal experience and political conviction.

Her words are GOLD!

Really inspiring

I love Joyce di Donato ❤️❤️💖💚She is such an excellent teacher! Thank You ❤️💓💗

What a wonderful great woman she is! Thank you, Joyce Didonato 💙💖

I love this show!! Thank you.

Love her!

Loved this episode!...

I love this woman!!!!!

First of the “Living...” videos I’ve seen. Thanks so much to the producers. Thanks Ms DiDonato for fully living your life and sharing with us.

Fabulous woman, fabulous voice!

One of the best interviews!! I really enjoyed. Thank you for your work, it is really inspiring...

Close your eyes... this is Paul Giamatti interviewing JDD :) PS: great interview indeed !

I loved this interview!!

She brought me to tears

Simply wonderful.

Love this woman so much! Thank you for this great interview :)

I love Joyce! Great interview!

what a wonderful person Joyce is. great discussion

Always magic. Thank you to the crew and the Host. From Perth Australia.

Thank you!

OMG I love her so much, this interview makes my eyes wet so many times...

I just discovered you and I am inspired. You make it so real . Thanks .

A wonderful interview, thank you.

Thank you

Fantastic and inspiring interview!

What a wonderful interview in every way.

She is amazing! Great inspiration to singers in all genres!

Madame Extraordinaire.... Authentic.

What a wonderful way of dealing with stuff. I love her.

I've learnt so much from listening to this interview. Thank you x

Another brilliant interview! So great personality, her fierce is contagious!

I’m glad I’ve come across this video...as a young aspiring opera singer, I can say I’ve got words that I needed to hear

Brava Joyce DiDonato ❤❤❤

Soul singer!

Thank You

This is a generous interview! Thank you!

Incredible woman!!! With unstucked soul!!!

So wise and warm and spontaneous and clever and natural and human.. Now I love you more! :-)

I love how she sums up being from the Midwest! She nails it. I'm also from the Midwest & we tend to remain calm when the rest of the country is losing their collective minds over minutia. I'm also a singer, but because I started so late (in my mid to late 20s) was told I was too old to have an opera career. I was fine with that because I already had a career as an RN. I currently have 2 regular church gigs, & have sung countless weddings, funerals & church solos, etc., in my town. I get to sing without all the stress of the incredibly competitive world of opera. Win-win. I would LOVE to have her work with me though as I feel like she could take me to a whole new level. I love her energy & method of teaching. If I could only have 30 Minutes of her time... Or an hour! Lol (I wish!)

I attended her concert in Paris last year, she was phenomenal. And she is so humorous, so smart and so compassionate in this interview. So inspiring!

I love this honesty and wisdom of Hers, thank you so much for this interview! It could teach everyone in any profession so much about living a clear, determined and passionate life full of vibrant energy. Thank you, Joyce, for being YOU on all these levels of depth and experience! 🙏🏻

Delightful 🌟! Thank you🌟’s much! I got such a kick out of hearing about Joyce🌟’s letter to Ronald🌟Reagan for peace! - I did the same thing -after he was first elected, but before he took office. I sent it from Piedmont, California, c/o Postmaster, Bel Air, CA, (typed in blue ink) & it never came back! 🙏🕊✨I just hope they have it at the RR Library! We each do what we can, ✨& soon the world will have peace ✨🌎🌍🌏✨🌟🕊💛🌟✨

Beautiful interview with a great artist!

I have no words to express my emotions! What a wonderful interview, and an amazing guest

Joyce, I will "re-mem-ber you, when darkness shades me". Words fail but, Music be the food of Love, so play on. 😘

Bless you, dear Joyce! The gift of rejection... :) every artist must dig deep to uncover and distill true motives. If this process provokes us to question everything we think we know about ourselves and the world, so be it. This introspection will be transformative and healing...

Thank you so much for sharing this. It helps A LOT. Thank you!!!

A wonderful interview as always, dealing with the difficult questions of artistic development and, in this case, the artist's balance between aesthetic devotion and social engagement. Zsolt Bognár is quickly becoming one of my favourite interviewers (regardless of the field) - a model of a well researched, conversational approach to interviews that moderates a good pace and shift of tone and topic. Thank you!

Sounds like something Richard Best would tell a young singer. Beyond blunt, but harshly honest.

Um dia ainda vo cantar COM ELA!!!!

Thank you so much for this amazingly important and inspiring dialogue! ♥️ from Siberia,Russia

PS: My Mother was told by the great Dame Eva Turner "you will never be a singer...you will have to scrub floors for a living". It is moments like this that show you what you are truly made of.

May I Please Save this video to my FAVORITES collection?.

I adore Mozart's Don Giovanni . Alas, I cannot Sing. Although this lovely artistic lady , Joyce Didinato truly pushes me to practice my art of pianoforte . Puccini is divine. Thank you God and Joyce Didinato. Tony Amore STOKE ON TRENT England.

❤️

She is so right. I was devastated when I was told in college that I wasn't good enough to be in the vocal performance program. I was in the BA program and my instrument was voice. I was so sad and mad. I did quit music school and singing for about 3 years. Changed degrees, got a minor in music and moved on. I see it as a blessing in disguise as I love my job now. I sing in a community choir to not lose my voice and it's just fine.

♥

every opera almost of Verdi esepcialy delt with a conflict in Italy and the citizens loved and sang his anthems

your have to have faith in your own talent and artistic vision

... also, I like that dress.

Hi, would it be possible to get French subtitles for this video by any chance? :)