This episode of An Honest Look features Golda Schultz, a soprano who made her professional start at the Bavarian State Opera and has gone on to become a regular presence at leading houses on both sides of the pond. She spoke about moving beyond the concept of perfection; growing up in South Africa; the characters who most inspire her; and more. 

2:00 –[musical excerpt: “Ach Ich fühl’s” from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte] –*making her breakthrough at the Salzburg Festival 

5:29– living in the land of Mozart (the father) andRichardStrauss*

9:53– the history of Golda’s hometown,*Bophuthatswana, and what it means to be South African

13:35–[musical excerpt: “Summertime” from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess] – her first encounter with opera and vocal studies*

16:33– picking and choosing characters*

This interview was originally conducted for the New York Philharmonic

Musical excerpts provided courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera

Intro and outro composed by Miguel Kertsman