To Watch: Talamantes

By Devorah Ben-David

Courtesy of the Dong-a Ilbo Newspaper in Seoul, South Korea

Danielle Talamantes grew up listening to the sound of classical music. But singing became her first love after watching the musical “My Fair Lady” at home in Vienna.

Today Talamantes, who will perform locally this spring with the Price William Symphony, Capitol Hill Chorale and Capitol City Symphony, travels the world as a classical vocalist and a lyrical coloratura soprano, embodying a distinctive operatic style that’s distinguished by agile runs and leaps. Her clean voice is marked by depth and color variation.

A typical day for the diva includes studying translations, watching work-related videos and preparing for recitals. She practices singing for approximately two hours per day, but only in carefully divided increments of time to protect her vocal chords.

According to Talamantes, who studied voice in North America and Europe, “I think of songs as poems set to music with its own story, character and mini opera.”

Visit www.danielletalamantes.com for additional details and upcoming performances.

(February 2009)

Tags: Artist, classical, classical vocalist, Lights, Music, opera, voice