Ilona Domnich
Ilona Domnich is a lyric soprano (leggero), described by Opera Now as ”A memorable voice of silken beauty with a luminous edge to the tone, a sensitive musician and an actress of magnetic presence” and was chosen by Opera Now as one of the magazine’s Top 10 high flyers, ” a new generation of sopranos who are destined to have impressive careers”. Ilona Domnich was highlighted as artist of the month in Opera magazine and was the Daily Telegraph’s choice of ‘best British-based talent’.. While Ilona is in Jersey, she will be performing in the Jersey Arts Centre on the 11th May. Ilona, with the accompaniment of Anna Tillbrook and Narration of Michael White will be taking us through the Story of Rachmaninov. To find out more about this concert, head to https://www.musicjersey.com/whats-on.
Music in Action asked Ilona why music matters?
So tell us about yourself and what you are currently doing?
I have what is called in the corporate world a portfolio career. If you look at my calendar over the year you will see a variety of events that I love and enjoy doing, and I feel very lucky to call it my job. I sing opera (my latest role was Tosca), concerts with orchestras (my next one coming up is Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss and Brahms Requiem), and recitals with pianists ( next Rachmaninoff - soul in exile). I have branched out of my classically trained comfort zone to sing Cabaret with Jazz musicians and recently Jewish folk jazz with Klezmer-sh, an amazing Liverpool based group. I teach singing and piano. My youngest pupil is 5 years old, the oldest is 65. In the summer I run a small music festival by the lake in Barnet, where my pupils alongside my friends first class musicians get to perform. Alongside my performing and teaching career I coach leaders internationally, guide them to discover the inner power of their voices, which in turn allows them to generate more balance, influence and impact.
At what age did you start making music and how did you start?
At 5 years old my grandmother took me to piano lessons, and my mother tells me as a baby I was always mesmerized by music.
What do you enjoy about performing and what was your favourite performance?
The honesty that the human voice and instrumental music create together. All Performances are my favourite, each one that I am involved in at any given time. I feel so grateful to be given my voice and to be able to give my heart to it and make a living as well.
Ilona Domnich in Tales of Hoffman
Why does music matter to you?
Music has been my life from a very early age. It gives me an incredibly rich dimension to look at the world, life, and love. It has made me resilient and brave in the face of adversity. Music has given me a chance to step into my female heroines' shoes and walk compassionately with them. Music has taught me a lot about myself and how to exercise self awareness. Music continuously inspires and moves me. Music has given me a community of friends and it is thanks to music that I have met so many interesting people and am able to see some of the most beautiful places in the world.
What is your favourite place on earth?
My home in London. I was born in Russia to Jewish Russian/Ukrainian parents. I lived in Israel, in Jerusalem most of my teenagehood, I came to London to study singing and my career has taken me around the world. I love returning home after being away and I love quiet evenings in the garden with my family.
Who is your favourite composer?
The ones I am singing now. So that would be Puccini, Strauss, Brahms and Rachmaninoff.
What is the future of classical music?
In my experience classical music in the world is doing relatively well. Of course the pandemic and the war in Ukraine are impacting the finances and have hit the music world everywhere. England's relationship with classical music in my opinion is transforming and I am hopeful and positive. Historically classical music has survived over the years few deep lows and has always come back reborn.
Which historical figure would you choose to have dinner with?
Recently there is more and more awareness of mental health and people are braver to talk about depression, anxieties, trauma, abuse, self harm, isolation etc. I would love to have a few composers at the dinner table, so that they can share their feelings with each other. It is well known that for example Tchaikovsky could only write music when he was depressed, while Rachmaninoff couldn't touch the manuscript when he felt lost and sad. I think these might be a very exciting and moving conversations to hear and facilitate. And It would help the composers to feel better.
What can we look forward to from you next?
My show about Rachmaninoff's life with Anna Tilbrook and Michael White, on the 11th of May. Rachmaninoff's songs followed my career from the very start. Although I know the songs well, I sing them differently every time. Over the years my voice has matured, I have evolved as a person and my understanding of Rachmaninoff's music has also changed. I am excited to present to you this current version.