TORONTO—For German tenor Stefan Vinke, performing the role of Siegfried in Wagner’s opera by the same name continues to be a journey of discovery.
He is now performing in his 18th production of the opera, making his debut with the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto, and it is a role he doesn’t tire of.
Part of this has to do with Wagner’s music.
“The more often you hear this music, the more you love it, and each time you hear it, you will find new details and new things,” says Vinke.
However, the tenor did not grow up listening to Wagner or any opera at all. In fact, he saw his very first one at the age of 26: Wagner’s “Die Walküre” (“The Valkyrie”). It was on TV, and he fell asleep during the first act.
Two years later, he saw Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” at the opera house and was hooked.
At that time, he had just started studying to become a singer. And although he had been a church musician for many years, he had never experienced opera. When he discovered it, he was surprised how much he loved it and regretted not seeing it before.
Even so, it wasn’t until after six to seven years into his professional career that he realized his voice and character were suited to Wagnerian opera and German repertoire in general.
“It takes some time for a young singer to find which path he has to go on and which is the right track for him,” Vinke explains.
