"Stepping onto the stage with the heart of Cio-Cio-San" – A debut full of passion at the Wrocław Opera

Meeting Monika Radecka is like discovering a pearl of the opera world. The young, humble, yet passionate and sensitive singer surprises not only with the maturity of her voice but also with a deep understanding of the characters she brings to life on stage. Her debut at the Wrocław Opera as Cio-Cio-San in Giacomo Puccini's 'Madame Butterfly' is not only a technical achievement but, above all, an emotional journey that Monika shares with the audience. We invite you to read this extraordinary interview in which the soloist talks about her artistic world, her work on the role, and her relationship with the Wrocław stage.

Alicja Czyżcewska Kania: Congratulations on your debut at the Wrocław Opera and for embodying such a demanding and indeed iconic character as Cio-Cio-San. Is verismo opera your world?

Monika Radecka: Romantic opera, especially verismo, is closest to my heart. It is in these roles that I feel best. Puccini is my favorite composer, and 'Madame Butterfly' is already the third of his operas in which I have the pleasure to perform. Previously, I portrayed Mimi in 'La Bohème' and the title role in 'Sister Angelica'. What fascinates me about verismo? The truth. These dramatic works are full of emotions that reach straight to the heart. In such operas, I can fully express myself – both vocally and dramatically.

A.C.K.: Do you identify with the heroines you portray? Are there any that you consider exceptional?

M.R.: I always try to find something in the character that allows me to empathize with her. Working on a role is not just singing for me, but also acting. I strive to be a good singer and at the same time a good actress – so that music and emotions are inextricably intertwined. Every role I sing must be true because only then can I fully convey its depth.

A.C.K.: How do you feel in the role of Cio-Cio-San? Have you managed to find that balance between the vocal and acting dimensions of the character?

M.R.: Yes, absolutely. Cio-Cio-San is a role in which I feel natural. Perhaps because I am one of the younger performers of this part – I am 26 years old. In the first act, when Cio-Cio-San is still very young and genuinely authentic, it is very important for me to convey her innocence and freshness. But as the opera develops, she emotionally matures, becoming a strong and determined woman. I try to ensure that every gesture, every nuance conveys authenticity. It is precisely the emotions, the extremes between delicacy and strength, that create the complete character of Cio-Cio-San.

A.C.K.: Cio-Cio-San is a character full of contradictions – innocent yet extraordinarily strong. How do you find balance between her youthful naivety and the growing determination and courage within her?

M.R.: Cio-Cio-San is exceptional for me precisely because of this duality. On one hand, we have her girlish naivety, that pure, untainted love. But she also has immense strength and determination that develops before the audience's eyes. In the second act, when she waits for Pinkerton, we see a woman torn between her faith in love and desperation. Showing this transformation is crucial for me.

A.C.K.: What has your collaboration with the orchestra under the baton of Daniel Smith and the Wrocław Opera team been like?

M.R.: Working with Maestro Daniel Smith is undoubtedly a blessing. He is an extraordinarily warm, supportive conductor whom I could trust from the very first rehearsal. Collaborating with him and the entire Wrocław Opera orchestra is a dialogue full of sensitivity and energy. I felt that together we were creating something exceptional – every entrance of the orchestra heightened the emotions that I tried to convey to the audience. Without such support, it would be difficult to fully deliver this role. The Wrocław Opera team welcomed me extremely warmly, and the atmosphere of collaboration and mutual support only gave me wings.

A.C.K.: What emotions would you like to convey to the audience in your interpretation of Cio-Cio-San? Is there any moment that is particularly important to you?

M.R.: I want the audience to feel the truth. That every emotion they experience is sincere. In this opera, everyone will find something for themselves – love, pain, determination, hope. What is most important to me is that the audience leaves the theater moved. 'Madame Butterfly' has something magical about it – it is music that penetrates the heart and soul. And I want my interpretation to be a bridge that allows the audience to get closer to those emotions.

One cannot pass indifferently by such an interpretation. Monika Radecka in the role of Cio-Cio-San promises a performance that will leave us in a state of reflection for a long time. We invite you to the Wrocław Opera to experience this moving story on April 4 and 6.