As the child of a musician couple in Latvia, a country with a rich singing culture, Dārta had music instilled in her from an early age. She came to The Hague five years ago to study vocal music at the conservatory. She calls her teacher Rita Dams ‘my rock’ and she is grateful for the advice to audition for the master's programme Art of Song.
Enrico was born in Turin: ‘The city that made a great out of Puccini’, he says proudly. Enrico also admits that until recently he knew more about opera than about lied art. In 2021, he started studying piano in The Hague. Teacher Ellen Korver steadily made him more enthusiastic about piano accompaniment and playing lied repertoire. He is now the brains behind original programme choices. ‘Enrico is constantly reading and browsing for us,’ Dārta says enthusiastically. Enrico, laughing: ‘Yes, I am a bit of a nerd.’
The fact that at the Royal Conservatoire a year ago the new master's specialisation Art of Song was announced was the reason for Dārta to start looking for a pianist who wanted to form a duo with her. There was an immediate connection with Enrico. The duo was accepted into the new programme, was allowed to participate in the Grachtenfestival Conservatoire Competition and promptly reached the final. Not bad after a collaboration of about six months.
On 18 October we can enjoy the wonderful lied programme Winter Metamorphosis that the positive, eager to learn and talented Dārta and Enrico have prepared for us, their lied friends. That choice by a Latvian singer and an Italian pianist who together represent the Royal Conservatoire, yes, that is indeed very promisingly colourful.
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