How much have your Italian origins and the culture of your country affected your professional career?
The Italian sentiment nourishes my artistic temperament; it is a red thread that binds me to the lyrical tradition of the all-Italian "bel canto"; at the age of eight I was already singing the melodies of the operetta and intoning "A love so big" brought to the fore by the great Mario Del Monaco.
I was born in Rome and my origins have deep roots in Calabria, where I went to live with my maternal grandparents when I returned to Italy from the United States where I lived together with my parents from the first months of my childhood. My paternal genetic half, on the other hand, has Abruzzo origins; my maternal grandmother, Regina, has Venetian origins. In short, I have a potpourri of cross stories to tell from south to north Italy! Long live Italy!

In your opinion, is Italy still a meritocratic country as far as music is concerned? What could be the side effects of not having quality people in show business?
I believe that sooner or later talent always emerges and can manifest itself in different ways and areas when more opportunities arrive. To be quality artists you must first have nature, then the gift of art and then study, learn from experience as well as treasure, with wisdom, even the mistakes that can be made and thanks to which one should grow and improve .

Alma Manera photographed by Giuseppe Brancato
Photo source: Giuseppe Brancato

As far as I'm concerned, my first schooling was in the family where I experienced, thanks to my families of origin, the opportunity to immediately breathe the air of the film set, the stage and play between the canvases and the clay of my uncles. I learned how to do it but also how not to do it and I had life and stage masters from whom I learned a lot. I would like to mention Magda Olivero, Elvina Ramella, Beppe Menegatti, Carla Fracci, Paolo Limiti, Mino Reitano and many others. As far as the aspect related to the side effects of not having quality people in the entertainment world is concerned, I believe that this leads to a flattening of our values ​​and to the sadness of an approved world.

Do you dream of taking your music abroad? Why?
I actually did. Thank goodness I'm a crossover soprano, a performer and my versatility allows me to play different "strings" and give the audience a varied show with lots of surprises. My songs have been played on foreign radios. Today, if there was continuity and new songs to be exported abroad, I'd be happy.

She has also performed abroad. Is Italian music still credible and popular outside our country? In your opinion, what peculiarity makes it stand out on the international and global scene?
Our feeling is our matrix. When I had the opportunity to perform abroad I felt the warmth of the people and appreciative ovations. Italian music is irreplaceable, if we think of the eternal melodies of opera, pop music, soundtracks signed by Italians and of Italian origin. How much history can we write, without forgetting Neapolitan music and Roman stornelli as well as popular traditional songs such as the tarantella! Italian music is a source of inspiration and a model of study.

What were the main difficulties you had to overcome to become an established artist in Italy?
I tested myself several times to measure my potential and I invested time and resources in myself after realizing my value and thanking those who believed in me by giving me opportunities. What I think is that, every day, we must work to affirm “ourselves to ourselves” in the first place, pardon the pun. I am not competitive with others. I find it ridiculous, I like sharing more, I'm competitive with myself! So sometimes it can be us, our difficulty! Being strict judges of ourselves.

In your opinion, do the record market, the needs of producers and those of the mass media risk impoverishing, reducing the artist's talent, expressiveness and spontaneity?
The way of communicating music and not just music has changed. Today streaming counts, OTTs (ed. Over-The-Top, streaming platforms) rule, platforms have multiplied. The way of scouting has changed, there are talent shows.

Alma Manera photographed by Angelo Gigli
Photography source: Angelo Gigli

For me, who consider the arts uncompetitive, it is a great effort to adapt to this new system and I continue on my way in an artisanal way. Between a packaged ice cream and an artisanal cone I will always prefer the latter, as well as between digital reading and printed paper. I have an analog nature!

As an artist, what are your dreams still in the drawer?
They are in the drawer when I decide, if I decide, I will open it to make them concrete and I will reveal them. Even dreams have value and must be kept like secrets.

If you could duet with an artist from the past, who would you choose and why? (Italian or foreign)
With "The Voice" Frank Sinatra would duet "Send in the clowns" by Sondheim. With Michael Jackson I would do a performance singing and dancing the refrains of his greatest hits such as, for example, "Thriller", "Billie Jean", "Bad", "Heal the World". With Pavarotti I would share the first act of the "Bohème" between Rodolfo and Mimì. I believe that the sweetness and intensity expressed by Puccini in these pages of great music is extraordinary, from "Che gelida manina" to "They call me Mimì". What a dream!

In your opinion, today, are there still Italian authors and/or composers who represent the true "Made in Italy" or are our songs also simply becoming a commercial product for the use and consumption of fashions?
I believe that the Italian melody, as well as melodrama will have eternal seasons and that seasonal music still plays into the mainstream market and therefore has its why, but the "classic" will always be eternal.

Maestro Jonathan Cilia Faro, who nominated her, has always supported the importance of meritocracy and philanthropy in the music field. Who is the singer you admire the most at the moment and in what do you think he contributes to bringing prestige to Italy?
Fully agree with Jonathan in this we are mirrored. Culture has always been the antidote to ugliness understood as malice and it is a duty for those who have received talent as a gift and enjoy the success achieved, to think of others too. I believe that an example that perfectly combines these aspects is Andrea Bocelli who takes the "bel canto" and the melody around the world and does not forget the less fortunate with his foundation.

Speaking of meritocracy and philanthropy, in your opinion among the promising young artists, which artist do you believe deserves to be able to emerge? For what reason?
There are many interesting young people in all artistic disciplines whether they are related to music or the visual arts. Giovanni Caccamo, an appreciated singer-songwriter who also deals with visual art full of positive messages, comes to mind.

Following your experience, in your opinion, is it easier to collaborate with other Italian artists or is it more stimulating to do it with foreign singers?
I have had the opportunity to collaborate with Italian and non-Italian artists, and in any case I set no limits to collaborations. I don't think they depend on a geographical border. The bond that arises counts and when you collaborate there must be a sort of alchemy that creates enchantment.

In your opinion, what are the main characteristics that an artist must have in order to establish himself in Italy? Is talent enough?
I think that the whole world is a great country and that the greatest possibility in every field and therefore not only in the artistic-cultural sphere is to strongly believe in one's talent and invest in it with determination. Another factor of success is character. Heraclitus spoke of talent, discipline and character, of the ability to self-determination, of knowing how to move on the scene of life and on stage with professionalism, cultivating one's identity and opening up to diversity.

What are your plans for the near future?
The future is constantly evolving, we write it and rewrite it when we decide on every single change. I certainly plan to continue my artistic activity and to promote culture and solidarity through social commitment. I then took on a new role as an artistic consultant and for the promotion of external relations of the "Maxxi Art" foundation, alongside a sensitive and intelligent person such as our president Alessandro Giuli and with a highly professional team. All of this allows me to create new connections in the service of the beauty of the arts. In the musical field there are also some new features, in particular a working progress with Maestro Jonathan Cilia Faro… but let's not reveal too much.

Featured photo source: Torres Sisters

Interview with Alma Manera: music and art without competition except with ourselves last edit: 2023-05-23T12:30:00+02:00 da Nadia Milliery Ognibene

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