Interview #279: Natasha Marsh

Statuesque, standing 5’10” in her bare feet with blonde hair cascading down her back, Natasha Marsh dispels the preconceptions we have of opera singers. At 21 she graduated with a first in music and drama, from Birmingham University, and won a coveted scholarship to the Royal College of Music. With many critically acclaimed performances under her belt, and a highly respected soprano within the opera world, Natasha wanted to expand on her experiences and earlier this year stepped in to the recording studio for the first time. She recorded her debut album, ’Amour’, which hit the top of the Classical Chart week one and has cemented Natasha as one of the most exciting opera exports the UK has celebrated for over a decade.

I Like Music caught up with Natasha to talk about classical awards, touring and highlights of the last year.

ILM: You’ve recently been nominated for a Classical Brit Award for the album ‘Amour’; how do you rate your chances of picking up the award?

Natasha: To be honest, it was an absolute honour to be nominated. To have that kind of accolade is enough for me. It’s fantastic really. I certainly don’t expect to win but it’s been wonderful for me to be in a long list of fantastic artists like Cortes and Alfie Boe. I’m looking forward to having a good night there.

ILM: Very modest! You’re quite a stylish girl, have you planned your outfit?

Natasha: That’s the second most important thing! I think I’ve got it prepared as I’ve got it down to two or three dresses I think. I love lining them up until the last minute then going with a gut feeling! I generally go for the one that’s got the most sparkle. I love a bit of glitter!

ILM: Who else do you tip to triumph at the awards?

Natasha: Well, I’m a great fan of Anna Netrebko; I think she’s amazing. There have been some fantastic albums out this year. I love Cortes, and Alfie Boe as well - who seems to get more and more northern after a pint! I wish everyone well, as we’ve all sung with each other. Blake are up there as well, the opera ‘boyband’! I’ve sung with them loads over the past couple of months and had a great laugh with them as they are really good guys. I’m supporting them soon.

ILM: What’s notable about many reviews of ‘Amour’ is that they all reference it as ‘going beyond opera’ - what do you think they mean by that?

Natasha: I think it’s got a mix of different genres in the tone, from film references to pop ballads to folk music. I love the fact the album gave me the opportunity to not just produce an album of one particular style and allowed me to experiment with music that I’m in love with but also music that allowed me to use my voice in a ‘lyrical’ way. The premise I used was to go back to gut feeling on music I liked. Whether the songs are opera or pop, every song needs a different treatment. For me it was a challenge to use my voice to suit each style of song.

ILM: You recorded ‘Amour’ in Abbey Road - How did you find the experience?

Natasha: It was amazing. I knew about it, just from reading about the place and looking at famous photos. But I don’t think I got my head around the enormity of it until I walked into the building and saw this enormous orchestra in studio one waiting to start recording. I looked at all these famous photos on the wall, and I started thinking ‘Oh God, they’re all here for me!’ That was really scary and it’s one of those things that you find intimidating in the beginning but as soon as you start singing you just lose yourself in the music, and then I had a ball!

ILM: Do you plan to record your next album there?

Natasha: I don’t think I will be. Unfortunately it won’t be somewhere abroad and hot! It will all depend on the repertoire and on the size of the orchestra. The next album will be a change from ‘Amour’.

ILM: Do you have a specific direction for the new album then?

Natasha: Generally, the songs are going to be more contemporary. I’m going to record some pretty well known tracks but there will also be some more obscure numbers.

ILM: Your European tour with Paul Potts is imminent - Are there any particular dates you are looking forward to?

Natasha: I’m looking forward to going back to Helsinki when the sun is out! I was there at Christmas and it was absolutely freezing. I’ve never been so cold in my life; my teeth were chattering before I sang. I was there last year with Il Divo on a tour of Scandinavia so it will be good to go back to familiar places. Also, that part of the world is gorgeous. Last time I was there we would go out after the show and it would still be light at about 1am!

ILM: Most classical tours appear to be of a European focus - and not so much on a worldwide scale. Do you think both Classical music and Opera as a genre tend not to lend itself to a global audience?

Natasha: Well, I did some shows in South Africa at the end of last year and it went down a storm. The audiences were so ‘vibed up’ and for them, it was probably a novelty. It was liberating and like singing at a Rock ‘n’ Roll concert by the end! If that was a little taste then I’d love to go back and do more. It’s just about giving that audience access to it. Also, it’s that same old myth with opera that people think they’ve got to be educated or know all about it to appreciate it, which is just not the case. If it moves you, that’s all it takes.

ILM: Would you agree that it’s fair to say that the genre has been helped over the past few years by more of a modern image thanks to the likes of Katherine Jenkins, Il Divo, Alfie Boe and yourself to name but a few?

Natasha: Oh absolutely! I think by making it more contemporary and keeping it young, the stereotypes of big old fat singers become removed. I love dressing up; I am a girl after all. Although, Alfie Boe does too. In his latest show I keep having to do a double-take! But that aside, we are a very visual society so I know it is all about looking the part. That said, I got to sing at the Carling Cup Final a short time ago and I found it liberating to be able sing in my jeans and not in a sparkly dress! It was a real honour though; I grew up with football. I lived in family of passionate Watford fans.

ILM: Does the stereotype of opera being viewed as an ‘upper-class’ taste frustrate you?

Natasha: Definitely, I think it’s down to things like tickets being expensive and people not being able to afford to go. Thankfully, it is starting to change now. People are becoming more and more aware that opera houses are charging as little as £10. Even Covent Garden is becoming cheaper. Also, you don’t have to understand the plot for it to move you. In terms of bringing opera to the masses, I still consider one of the most defining moments when Pavarotti sang ‘Nessun Dorma’ at Italia ’90. It was the moment where finally people could connect on a wide scale. There are also now many open-air summer concerts for opera and, thankfully, it’s changing.

ILM: If you hadn’t gone into opera, what do you think you would have done?

Natasha: I can’t imagine doing anything other than singing. It sounds an obvious answer but it’s true. I grew up from such a little age always singing and performing so it is so deep in my bones, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Perhaps I might have gone into teaching music, as I love kids. But it would always have been within music.

ILM: Opera aside - what other musical tastes represent you best?

Natasha: Well I never listen to opera, especially if I am trying to relax. It’s the last thing I put on. I really do listen to anything and everything. Opera is like homework - I end up analysing it!

ILM: I know you cite film and cinema as being a theme that you often write about lyrically - which films have had the most profound impact on you?

Natasha: There is something about European films that I love because they aren’t overly obvious and they are very human, natural and often beautiful. Films such as Jean de Florette, Cinema Paradiso or Il Postino make me so emotional watching them. They are just timeless.

ILM: What has been your highlight of the past year?

Natasha: It was such a huge honour to sing with Jose Carreras at the Royal Albert Hall; it was amazing. But there are so many others, the Classical Brits nomination and even the Carling Cup Final. I also got to sing with Annie Lennox recently and I just love the variation of opportunities I get to do.

ILM: When things get too much for you, where do you go?

Natasha: I’ve been touring so much the past year, whenever I get a day off I try to get out and see things. By day 21 of a big tour you can often wake up whilst travelling and not even know where you are! When I’m back I love long walks, getting fresh air and pub lunches. I’m addicted to my laptop, which keeps me in contact with all my friends as well.

ILM: What’s your biggest vice?

Natasha: Most definitely chocolate. I am mad about the stuff! No question. I eat ridiculous amounts of it.

ILM: Who did you aspire to as a teenage girl?

Natasha: I adored Audrey Hepburn, Julie Andrews & Marilyn Monroe. They all had a magical glamour about them. I loved musicals growing up; I was obsessed with ‘The Sound Of Music’. All those actresses were simply timeless.

ILM: What do you think your biggest strength is?

Natasha: I think the fact that I love what I do, that I’ve not become jaded by it and that I am a fairly positive person.

ILM: Is there anything that scares you at all?

Natasha: Being away from home is not always great so I just make sure I stay in touch with people when I am away. I am sure in who I am so it doesn’t scare me in terms of losing my grip on things.

ILM: What are your ambitions both on and off-stage?

Natasha: To just keep enjoying what I am doing and sing with fabulous artists on-stage. I’ll keep going on the route I am on as I love what I am doing. In terms of off-stage, to stay balanced, stay in touch with my roots and to be able to get to the pub more!

ILM I like music because.....

Natasha: ...it moves me more than anything else in the world.

Visit Natasha’s official site www.natashamarsh.com to find out more and to read her new blog with details of recent events.