MY CULTURAL LIFE
Kelli-Ann Masterson, soprano
Kelli-Ann Masterson is a young soprano from Co Wexford and living in Dublin, who studied music education at Trinity and obtained an MMus from DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama. This year she won the prestigious Dramatic Cup and Margaret Quigley award at Feis Ceoil, was named as a rising star by UCH Limerick, and recently announced as a 2019/20 studio member with Irish National Opera. She is the recipient of the PwC bursary from Wexford Festival Opera. She comes from a musical family, loves spending time with her nieces and nephews, is an animal lover, loves cooking, baking and all things food-related.
Movie: The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings (any of the trilogy). I love the whole world which Tolkien created and how it is brought perfectly to life in the films. I love the fantasy and magical element, the strength of the relationships throughout and how good can overcome evil with the most unlikely of heroes. For me, a film also has to have good music in it and I think Howard Shore’s scoring of the film is sheer perfection.
Aria: Pale et Blonde
Ophelia’s aria ‘Pale et Blonde’ from Ambroise Thomas’s opera Hamlet .I adore singing this piece which is sung by Ophelia before she drowns in the lake. The aria takes up most of Act IV of the opera and draws on mythological references of water nymphs luring Ophelia to the depths of the water. The recording of it by Sabine Devieilhe never fails to reduce me to tears.
Book: All the Light We Cannot See
I’m currently reading All the Light We Cannot
See by Anthony Doerr. I love historical fiction, particularly those set during either of the world wars. My favourite quote from the book and a motto which we could all live by: ‘Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever’.
Art: The Sphere
The Sphere is a bronze sculpture by German artist Fritz Koenig which stood in the plaza of the World Trade Center as a symbol of world peace. It was recovered from the rubble of the Twin Towers and temporarily placed in Battery Park with an eternal flame in honour of all those who were lost.
TV: Great British Bake Off
I love autumn TV because lots of my favourite programmes return. This time of year, I love watching the Great British Bake Off. I love baking and enjoy marvelling at the wonderful creations that the bakers create, very few of which I could even attempt. I’m also loving this season of Peaky Blinders.