Opera Superstar Anna Netrebko on Her Creative Process

Anna Netrebko has been referred to—by Metropolitan Opera head Peter Gelb, no less—as the “complete artistic package.” The Russian soprano is famous not only for her voice but for a sensuality that has drawn comparisons to Maria Callas.

Her appeal extends offstage, as well: She has an impressive number of Instagram followers, who get to eye photos of her international trips, outrageous shopping excursions (she’s partial to rhinestone headbands and anything in mink), and outings with her husband, tenor Yusif Eyvazov, and son Tiago.

At 45, Netrebko is showing no signs of slowing down. This month she comes to the United States for two performances—a duet concert with Eyvazov at the Los Angeles Opera on May 4 and the Metropolitan Opera’s 50th anniversary gala in New York on May 7—before heading to the Opéra National de Paris to play Tatiana in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. Here, Netrebko opens up about her process for our peek inside the habits of a creative mastermind.

How do you prepare yourself to be creative? What’s your ritual?

Every day I try to live as if it’s my last.

What place do you find most conducive to working?

I travel a lot. I can adapt to almost any situation.

Netrebko on stage at the Met in 2015.

What one element is absolutely necessary for your process?

I don’t like people who stop me if I decide to do something.

What time of day do you prefer for working?

I’m definitely better in the morning.

How do you take your coffee?

Good, strong American coffee with a little milk and sugar.

What do you most often do to procrastinate?

I spend time with my son. We’ll go bowling or draw.

What’s your best trick for overcoming a creative block?

Lying down on the beach, feeling nature, being calm.

It’s said that genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration. What is that ratio like for you?

I can only say that I work hard. As for talent, I do have some.

What have you learned from failure?

I haven’t made that many mistakes.

What do you hope your creative legacy will be?

I hope to make much more and not stop. Life is continuous!

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This story originally appeared in the May 2017 issue of Town & Country.

Leena Kim

Editor

Leena Kim is an editor at Town & Country, where she covers travel, jewelry, education, weddings, and culture.