In the lead-up to the 10th NTD World Chinese Vocal Competition set to take place in 2025, internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade recently sat down with NTD for an exclusive interview, sharing insights gained from her decades of stage experience and encouraging young musicians participating in the competition.
Von Stade, hailed as one of the most outstanding lyric mezzo-sopranos of the 20th century, boasts a musical career spanning over fifty years. She has graced prestigious international stages such as the Metropolitan Opera, Salzburg Festival, and Paris Opera, gaining acclaim for her performances of works by Mozart and Rossini. With multiple Grammy Awards and two Grand Prix du Disque honors from France to her name, Von Stade has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to the world of music and was even decorated with France’s Order of Arts and Letters.
Described as having a soft, warm voice with clear, pure tones extending into the soprano range, Von Stade’s interpretations of roles often exhibit deep humanity, portraying character nuances with authenticity and grace.
During the interview, she emphasized repeatedly, “Singing is an expression that comes from the depths of the heart.”
Discussing Bel Canto, Von Stade explained, “Bel Canto literally means beautiful singing. Its magic lies in its extreme demands on language, phrasing, and expression, particularly the pure vowels of the Italian language. Mastering its nuances takes a considerable amount of time.”
She reminisced about her experiences studying at the Glyndebourne Festival in the UK, recalling how a teacher once spent an hour correcting her pronunciation of the phrase “Buongiorno” (good morning). “This art form requires guardians, mentors – and vocal coaches are our guardian angels,” she noted.
Offering advice to aspiring competition participants, Von Stade urged, “Sing from your heart because you are telling a person’s story.”
She explained, “When you sing a song or an aria, there is always a story behind it. While some French art songs may lean towards depicting scenery without specific plots, the majority of songs, especially operatic pieces, narrate a segment of someone’s life.”
“The more you believe in this story and the language you use to tell it, the less likely you are to be disturbed by self-doubt. Instead of thinking, ‘Oh, here comes the high note, I need to prepare,’ it’s more important to ponder, ‘Why does this high note exist here? What is this character singing?’ That is the key.”
Such focused attention, she noted, not only helps alleviate pressure but also enables better concentration through continuous practice and understanding.
Von Stade also recounted witnessing a 14-year-old girl in a San Francisco youth music education program deliver a stunningly emotional interpretation of Mozart’s opera “The Magic Flute” aria, “The Queen of the Night.” She remarked, “You can’t believe such a voice and expression come from her. It is the purest form of human emotional expression. The power of voice lies in its immeasurable value.”
“I have participated in over a dozen vocal competitions, only placing once, and yet I’ve had a career. This is the message I want to convey to them,” Von Stade candidly expressed. “Winning or losing in a competition is not crucial; it is merely a start. Applaud your steps forward because accepting judgment requires courage. Putting yourself out there for scrutiny, awaiting evaluation – that’s why I look forward to meeting them. Their voices bring me happiness.”
Reflecting on nervy moments from her audition days at the Met Opera and playful anecdotes backstage with Luciano Pavarotti and their children, she painted a heartwarming picture of camaraderie within the opera world. “We opera folks are akin to playful third-graders who love to laugh, yet acutely aware of the fragility of our voices, fostering empathy and support among ourselves.”
The NTD’s 10th “World Chinese Vocal Competition,” dedicated to promoting the traditional vocal art of purity, goodness, and beauty, is an avenue for contemporary young people to safeguard these traditions, not just in vocal prowess but also in cultural heritage and values transmission.
To this end, Von Stade advised young people to reduce phone use to enhance communication skills. “Put away your phone or social media, set aside some time each day for it, then keep it away. Dedicate time to communicate. Communication is key,” she stressed.
She observed that as youth rely more on phones, their attention and engagement levels diminish. Singing, as an art form, centers on conveying emotions through voice and eye contact. At its core, singing is a sincere form of human-to-human interaction.
Despite the many challenges contemporary youth face in carrying forth the tradition of classical vocal art, Von Stade remains hopeful for the future. “To me, this is an exhilarating era for opera and vocal artistry. As society increasingly depends on electronic devices and amplification systems, the direct, authentic connection between ears and throats is gradually being replaced. Yet, it is precisely because of this shift that the emotions and power carried by voices have become more precious than ever before.”
“I sense a renewed appreciation in the industry for the inherent pure power of sound, especially evident in many new works showcased by opera houses. For instance, the San Francisco Opera recently announced plans to stage composer Jake Heggie’s modern opera ‘Dead Man Walking’ – a profound exploration of human nature and soulful dialogue that truly embodies the sincerity and emotional impact voices can convey.”
In closing, Von Stade had a heartfelt message for the upcoming competition participants: “Believe in yourself as much as you can and trust in what you are doing. You have devoted incredible effort to master your voice, to calm it, plan for it, train it, forgive it, understand it, and achieving these tasks is a considerable achievement in itself. This competition is not the end but the start of your journey. Regardless of the final outcome, I already hold admiration and affection for all of you.”
Organized by NTD Television, the 10th “World Chinese Vocal Competition” will take place at Kaufman Music Center in Manhattan, New York on August 29, 2025. The competition features male and female categories, with one gold, silver, and two bronze awards in each. Additionally, numerous Outstanding Performance Awards will be presented.
Von Stade will host a master class for participants during the competition.
For competition details, please refer to the website: https://vocal.ntdtv.com/