Lrytas.lt: „e-Carmen“ žvaigždė Justina Gringytė apie istorines vonias ir labdaringą veiklą
​2016 12 11

On December 14, this year and this season, Vilnius City Oper a will present the e-Carmen by Ten Walls, who is excited by the audience and critics. Initiated by director Dalia Ibelhauptaitė, the project brought not only a new musical work to the Lithuanian opera and electronic scenes, but also a unique opportunity to see on the stage the mezzo-soprano Justinas Gringytė, who has received an international award called the Oscar for Opera.
We talked to the singer about a new phase of her married life abroad, her hobbies and her recently established charity.

-You are a married woman today, live in Moscow, work at the prestigious Grand Opera House, have a lot of concerts and activities abroad.

-And I live well anyway (smiles).

-What does it mean to live well?

-Good life when you and your loved ones hurt nothing.

-Your husband is a violinist and conductor (Mikhail Simonian - Ed.). How often do you play music together?

-Not as often as you'd like. During Michael's conducting I have sung Olga in Eugene Onegine and more than once in Carmen. We also do concerts together - I sing and he plays the violin. One such performance took place at the Lithuanian Embassy in Moscow in October. We also have more plans to show up together.

- Do your musical tastes overlap, for example, when choosing a concert program?
- Very good and very good for us. Every time we step off the stage, we feel the need to climb it more often. We feel great on stage and at the time we have a special connection - a sense of true creativity. Of course, it's not like we listen to each other blindly - we share comments on the program as well as on performance as colleagues.

-What are you doing in your spare time then?

- We walk a lot if the weather allows. We go to the cinema and go out to dinner, but we actually cook really well, so we often just stay home. We spend time in a very cozy and warm environment, as both of us have to travel a lot, so we miss that simple free time of just pulling the curtains, ordering food at home and watching TV. As rare as it is, it happens (smiles).
Of course, when we travel, we meet in a capital city - we come to each other because that's the only way we can meet. Then we walk a lot, get to know the local culture and architecture, but we never look specifically for tourist attractions - we admire the quiet.

- Is there an area where you need to constantly compromise?

- Previously it was - the temperature at home. Mikhail often wished the home had some 16 degrees Celsius and an open window when it was already cold outside ... I am very happy when he gets cold himself and can close that window (laughs). Of course I'm kidding - it doesn't really freeze me, but the temperature differences I wanted were huge. Still today we have discovered the middle of the gold (smiles).
Another thing - before, like most singers, I was convinced that any air conditioner would kill me. Now I have realized that the reverse is true, especially during the flowering season, when pollen falls in the window just after opening the house.

-Has married life changed you?

-I think some tension and stress have subsided. I have wonderful family and friends, but the second half provided extra security, peace of mind and of course, wings. Now I can relax, calm my breath. I don't even know how beautiful it is to express that feeling: knowing that everything will be fine. Looks like I know that, but Michael is even more optimistic than I am, and it helps a lot when bad mood, pessimism involves. Also, I feel great musical support.

Have you ever thought that your husband would be a musician just like you?

-No, I couldn't think of anything, I just said from the age of five he would be in a suit.

-You call it a real success - after all, the conductor is always in costume!

-It's just a joke, of course. I really enjoy being at home and going home all day wearing a bathrobe - although it can be fun for one or two.

-However, I have heard that they have an exclusive holiday destination in Moscow.

- Yes, these are the historic public baths in the city center - the so-called "banios". There I only want to be alone.
I come, sit down, drink tea, eat - I have my desk. When I call, I smoke, then I am bathed in all the rituals, I lie down, washed in different waters, and then I go to another room, where I scrub my whole body ... Everywhere you are, just behind your hand. It's like a 3 hour revival procedure, which I'm always looking forward to.
I like different procedures - wherever I go, I can find a cozy spot or a good masseur. It helps a lot after rehearsals.

-What else fascinates you in Moscow?

-When you turn around, you hit the theater, museum, gallery, music hall. It's 10am In the morning, the queues at the museums are locals and not tourists. Muslims highly value art. In addition, concert tickets are sold there for a bite, so halls are always full.
 keep blaming myself for my lack of interest in galleries and exhibitions, so in January, when I'm free, I'm committed to making a list and seeing a lot of everything.

-You have established your name support fund for young musicians. Could you tell us more about this?

- There is a widespread belief that a foundation can be set up after you have spent most of your life, accumulated wealth and so on. That is not the case. There were several circumstances that led me to take this step.
I dreamed of starting a foundation because the beginning of the musicians' journey is very complicated: they want to enter competitions, but everything is expensive. Music is an expensive art, even for a professional, because he still has a lot to pay back when he earns. Because of this, I was very keen to contribute to the fulfillment of someone else's dreams, at least to make people's journey towards them easier.
The mission of my foundation is not only financial support but also organizing masterclasses. Every day I meet many wonderful teachers, lecturers, conductors, directors from around the world who I would like to introduce to my young colleagues in Lithuania. This is what I do most of at Alytus Music School, because I come from here myself, but in the long run I would like to expand into bigger regions.
I was also greatly encouraged by the fact that I met my fellow Royal Opera Ballet prime minister Fernando Montaña, who was originally from Columbia, in London. We became good friends. He also founded a foundation for Colombian Children. We organized several events together, I sang at his charity concert. There are more colleagues my age who have foundations and help people.
Such examples and Michael's encouragement inspired me to act immediately. In addition, my husband has lived in Kabul and is currently setting up a music school there with his American colleagues. It is incredible what wonderful emotions children can bring to music during war.
I am well aware that my specialty and vocation is singing, being on stage, but I have a keen desire to help others as much as I can at this moment. Many projects and thoughts come to mind.
I am extremely grateful to everyone who was at our inaugural concert on June 1st, when I became ill and could not sing. Then Kostas Smoriginas, Aistė Miknytė sang wonderfully, Viktoras Gerulaitis conducted the event, Mikhail conducted, Alytus Children's Symphony Orchestra "Dream", Kaunas Symphony Orchestra, everything was filmed by LRT Culture Channel. It was a celebration. After all, it gives us so much joy to be able to play music together!

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