When and why did you decide to become an opera singer?
I was born in a musical family. My parents are both singers. My dad is a tenor and my mom is a Chinese folk singer. I've been singing since I was a child. I started in a choir. The formal beginning of opera was in music high school. It's been 10 years now. Learning to sing opera is a gift I got from my father. He always supports me as a voice teacher.

If I hadn't become an opera singer, I'd be …
I think I have a feeling in art, and I would like to be a painter if I wasn't a singer.

Which was your most precious experience on stage so far?
I played the part of the shepherd boy in «Tosca» when I was eight years old. It was the first time in my life that I really experienced what opera is and how to work with conductors and orchestras. I only sang a few lines, but it was a very valuable experience for me.

… the most embarrassing moment?
I didn’t really have embarrassing moment. The most embarrassing thing was I stepped on my dress and I nearly fell over.

… the biggest challenge?
When I was 17, I had a concert with my father in the Great Hall of the People. It was the first time I faced an audiences of 10’000.

And what would be your biggest dream?
For Chinese people, it is very fortunate to study abroad and to work in a good opera house. I hope to sing in many houses in the future, so that they can understand the voices of Chinese singers.

Do you have a lucky charm or a ritual before going on stage?
Tell yourself: You are the best! Get on stage in a good, positive mindset.

My secret weapon to prevent hoarseness:
I don't have any special weapons. Eating well and sleeping well, and the most important thing is to be happy!

Which opera character do you identify with the most and why?
I like Adina in «L'elisir d'Amore». She’s confident, smart and knows what she wants.

This song speaks out of the fullness of my heart:
Manon‘s Gavotte says: «Use up your days without counting them, all of your days! Let's love, laugh, and sing without stopping, while we're still only twenty!» That's what I've always believed in and what I've always done. People must keep happy to enjoy every day and bring happiness to everyone. I also sang this aria when I auditioned for IOS at Opernhaus Zürich.

Which is you favorite place in Zürich and why?
I haven't been to many places yet because of the global crisis. But I like to sit by the lake and chat with my friends.

Ziyi Dai, soprano, comes from China. 
The twenty-four-year-old has been a member of the IOS since the 2O/21 season.

When and why did you decide to become an opera singer?
I fell in love with opera the moment I set a foot on stage. I’ve been singing since I was 5 years old and when I was 14, I was fortunate to participate in a production of «Boris Godunov» at the Lithuanian National Opera. It was right there and then that I truly fell in love with opera and haven’t looked back since. To me, it was and still is pure magic. I truly consider opera to be one of the pinnacles of art. It showcases the best of us, the humanity, and what we’re capable of when we work together. The stories that opera tells are timeless. Each of us will find a character in opera that we can relate to, because in that moment, on stage, that person is experiencing something we’re familiar with – love, grief, passion, anger… It brings me such joy to be a little part of a story that is brought to life through the most beautiful language we have – music.

If I hadn't become an opera singer, I would be …
... a criminal psychologist!

Which was your most precious experience on stage so far?
Each and every performance is very special, but the opening night of Händel’s «Semele» with the Royal Academy Opera comes to mind. I was lucky enough to sing Semele herself AND to work with the wonderful Laurence Cummings!

… the most embarrassing moment?
Not so much as embarrassing, but most of all nerve-wracking. I was really ill and sang a show without being able to speak, but for some reason, I could sing just fine. The problem was the spoken dialogue, which I croaked out like a frog.

… the biggest challenge?
Having to passionately kiss several men on stage while my boyfriend was in the audience. However, he took it quite well!

And what would be your biggest dream?
To just continue singing.

Do you have a lucky charm or a ritual before going on stage?
I do! I carry a pendant that my parents gave me as a gift for good luck. Usually, the costumes don’t allow it to show, so I tuck it away in my shoe!

My secret weapon to prevent hoarseness:
Lots of sleep, water and no dairy before singing.

My idol:
Natalie Dessay. She’s a force of nature.

Which opera character do you identify with the most and why?
Probably Susanna. She’s incredibly smart, witty and resourceful. She always sticks to her principles and keeps her pride because of it. Also, she doesn’t need power or money to be happy, she’s perfectly content with what she has in life and makes the best of it!

This song speaks out of the fullness of my heart:
Muse – «Butterflies and Hurricanes»

Which is you favorite place in Zürich and why?
The lakeside just beside the Opera House. It was the first thing I saw when I arrived in Zurich. It was the middle of a very hot summer and I remember enjoying the relaxed atmosphere all around, lots of happy people chatting, swimming, and feeding the swans or the seagulls.

What is your favorite word in Swiss German?
«Schätzli», the meaning and the word itself are very cute!

Lina Dambrauskaite, soprano, comes from Lithuania. 
The twenty-eight-year-old has been a member of the IOS since the 19/20 season.

When and why did you decide to become an opera singer?
When I was about 25 years old and already in my studies at university. It came much more naturally to me than playing an instrument and it gave me always so much joy to perform.

If I hadn't become an opera singer…
I'd be a political scientist

Which was your most precious experience on stage so far?
Singing in the choir under the baton of Maestro Christoph Eschenbach the «2nd Symphony» of Gustav Mahler.

… the most embarrassing moment?
Having learned the wrong piece for a concert and then side-reading in the dress rehearsal.

… the biggest challenge?
Studying and learning the role of Leporello by heart in 2 and a half weeks

And what would be your biggest dream?
Never losing my love for music

Do you have a lucky charm or a ritual before going on stage?
I do a short meditation to focus.

My secret weapon to prevent hoarseness:
Take one day off a week when I don’t sing at all.

My idol:
Giorgio Zancanaro, Fritz Wunderlich and Tito Gobbi

Which opera character do you identify with the most and why?
Guglielmo from «Così fan tutte». He thinks he is cleverer than he actually is.

This song speaks out of the fullness of my heart:
«Du bist die Ruh» (Schubert)

Which is you favorite place in Zürich and why?
The lake. The water is so incredibly clear and spending a summer day at the waterside is very relaxing.

What is your favorite word in Swiss German?
«Chuchichäschtli»

Yannick Debus, baritone, comes from Germany. 
The twenty-nine-year-old has been with the IOS since the 2O/21 season.