Photo: Daniel Dimitrov
Thomas Weinhappel – one meeting, four years later, about the changes – in his voice, in the life around him, in himself, about the lessons, meetings and new projects, about the work with the Sofia Opera and the new production of "Lohengrin", about friendships and love.
Has your voice changed in the last five years?
- Yes, my voice changed because during the pandemic I had time to work every day, to read new literature. Before that I was lucky enough to sing in "Don Giovanni" – in Paris, then in "Figaro" – in Vienna, then in an operetta in Canada. During that time the voice had periods of hard work and of rest. But my voice could never fully settle down.
When those two years of the pandemic came, all contracts were cancelled, there were no payments. It was terrible. But I practiced every day, learning new parts of Wagner and Richard Strauss. I had the opportunity to start something really new and make my vocal cords work in a new way.
Did you change? At first glance, you are still the same warm and smiling Thomas I saw nearly four years ago.
- I have always been very sure of myself, besides loving my profession. I love being on stage, I love making people happy with my voice...
What's the most important professional lesson you've learned in recent years?
- When I didn't have the opportunity to sing live, I realized how important it was for me. Actually, these two years have made me stronger. And so I thank God, and fate, that I am so lucky.
And what were the life lessons?
- That it is wonderful to meet people, to communicate with them, to talk and to feel the person. That after two years of loneliness and isolation, we should be grateful to meet wonderful people, friends and communicate, and take our life lessons.
Photo: Daniel Dimitrov
I love to sing, but I love watching and listening to wonderful musical productions just as much. These are also lessons...
You play Friedrich von Telramund, Count of Brabant, in Wagner's famous opera "Lohengrin". It premieres at the Sofia Wagner Festival in June 2024. What kind of caharacter is he? How is he close to you?
- He is extremely close to me. This Count Telramund is a very strong man who believes in the right things. He's very positive and direct. Of course, he wants to have power, he wants to be the next king. He wants to climb the chain. His bad character comes from Ortrud, his wife, who manipulates and misleads him.
There is a view that Wagner is a double edged sword, and not a spoon for every mouth? Personally, what makes you a Wagner performer?
- Verdi is no less difficult (Smiles – AN.). As for Wagner – it's a language that almost nobody can speak, and secondly – maybe it's too long...
Honestly, when you sing Wagner, you really have to dive very deep. At first Wagner seems like something you say, "Wow! Sorry, it's not for me!" But you just don't see the tree in the wood... When you dive into it, you understand why he does such long operas. A story. Sixteen hours. Yeah, he likes it complicated. He likes the big picture. Wagner was a philosopher, like Nietzsche, they were friends.
Wagner really wanted to make the world a better place. He wanted to give his philosophical idea to everyone. And you don't have to understand the language. Language can be learned. There is another, higher level here – the level of music. It has to be felt. He wanted to say everything through music, although before he started composing, he wanted to be a writer. Words were much more important to him. Before he started writing the notes for "Der Ring des Nibelungen", he finished the entire libretto – of the four operas, and then started composing. He worked for over 20 years...
To enjoy Wagner, you really have to do your homework first, as I did...
Photo: Daniel Dimitrov
Wagner was the only composer who wrote the lyrics, who wrote the music, who designed the costumes, who created his own opera. He does everything because he has the perfect idea of what he wants. Acad. Kartaloff is also like this. He created a unique production, better than the one in Vienna. I am so happy to be part of this.
How did you work with the Sofia Opera team? Did you know anyone before that? Did the chemistry work out between you?
- Maybe, you won't believe me, but it was amazing from the beginning. In the beginning, there were two or three castings, and even then I could see that everyone was working with so much passion. They were so nice and open. We speak to each other in Italian, English or German. Mr. Kartaloff speaks six languages. It's crazy (He laughs – AN.). I feel at home here.
Most importantly, Kartaloff wanted to build a "Wagner" team, and he did. I would love to work with him again.
Otherwise, I had heard some of the names of the colleagues in the spectacl before, but I didn't know them very well. I realized that these were artists who sing all over the world.
How does your acting career develop?
- My acting experiences just happened and, perhaps, will continue to happen. You know, I love action, live action. I love working for weeks and months on a project. In cinema, you work piecemeal, then things are put together and the result is never clear...
What do the two ladies do – your wife Ekaterina and daughter Chiara, and the three cats you live with?
- They are in Vienna and they are happy. They are waiting for me to come back and they are very proud of me. They always listen to my exercises at home, as I work every day for many hours.
Do you still dive?
- Yes, but not as often as I would like. As my career evolves. The bad thing about having a career is that it comes at the expense of personal time.
Were you able to make friends in Bulgaria?
- I've always had friends here because Bulgarian singers are great. I recently took a masterclass with Anna Tomowa-Sintow, who is amazing! She told me that she started teaching because of Karajan. He told her that she should pass on her knowledge to the next generation at all costs. I learned so much from her because people like her know how things work in music.
What is your favourite word in your native language?
- Freundschaft (friendship, from German, AN).
Photo: Daniel Dimitrov
This is the thing that makes us human. And what makes life worth living. Through friendship, we discover new people, socialize, sing together, talk together. We can drink together. We can bond.
How would you continue the sentence "I am a man who loves..."?
- Wagner. I'm not kidding. Does it sound that special? I'm crazy about Wagner. I think a lot of people love Wagner. I've spent a lot of time with Wagner now, and it's fit me so well. It makes me so happy right now. I think that answer might change in time...