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"Something quite great"
14 July 2005
by Jasmine Fischer
Singer, conductor and composer: José Cura is one of the most prominent artist of his generation and one of the most popular singers in the major opera-houses in the world. For the opening of the World Games he sang, together with two young talents, the anthem of the game, ‘Once in a Lifetime'. The Argentine tenor spoke with WAZ editor Jasmine Fischer about the disciplines of sport and music.
WAZ: Mr. Cura, how athletic are you really?
Cura (standing up and stretching, chest out): Hmm. I do not know. What do you think?
WAZ: You look to be in pretty good shape!
Cura: Well, when I was younger I did some bodybuilding and fighting sports. I also played rugby. But many years have passed since then. I just remembered: when I was young, I earned my living as a fitness coach.
WAZ: Today, critics see you as one of the “big tenors" of the 21st century. Is sport important for somebody who stands on the stage instead of in the stadium?
Cura: In principle, yes. One uses the same body, the same bones, the same muscles and the same blood. In the time of the ancient Greeks, sport and music were equal parts of the culture. Today many see the music here, sport there. One should practice both - although this is sometimes difficult for me. I am almost always on the go.
WAZ: Musicians as well as sportsmen must train hard to come here for their sports specialty. Which qualities do musicians as well as sportsmen need to be successful?
Cura: Discipline. Above all they need discipline and second, absolute patience. At the opening ceremony of the World Games, I will stand together with singers on the stage who are as young as I was when I first started to sing. Some of them have told me they want to bypass all the tests, they would be quite happy with success. But I told them not to try to be the best of the best when you are only 18 - before you lies another 30 years. Professionalism comes with the experience - and one has more time in music than in sport.
WAZ: Do you think the performance of an artist or sportsman can contribute to making a difference?
Cura: Every time many people gather to hear music or to watch sports competition, then something quite great happens. We all share a positive moment that makes us happy. Happy people are of full energy. And as long as the amount of good is bigger than the amount of bad, there is also hope.
WAZ: Hope for what? What do you want to say?
Cura: On Wednesday I was in my hotel room watching CNN. They ran only one news story, about the suicide bombing in Bagdad in which more than 30 people died, most of them children. This is bad. But people gather not only to wage war but also (for such good things as) celebrating with the World Games. However, while zapping through the stations I saw nothing about the games. The media should understand that people need not only bad news, but also good.
Last Updated: Friday, November 16, 2007
© Copyright: Kira
