Opera star Pretty Yende discusses her role as Dior’s first opera ambassador, performing at the world’s top houses, and blending fashion with classical music.
It’s tempting to frame Pretty Yende’s story as a modern fairy tale – the small-town girl who stumbled across opera via a television commercial and, within a few years, became an internationally acclaimed soprano on the stages of Teatro alla Scala and the Metropolitan Opera. But that version misses the point. Yende’s rise was less about luck than sheer momentum – a force that reverberates beyond her musical endeavors. She has been embraced by the world of high fashion, notably as Dior’s first opera ambassador. Yende, 51, is from South Africa, lives in Milan, and has upcoming performances in Paris, Rotterdam, and Naples.
What sparked your opera obsession?
I was 16 years old, watching TV with my family, when an ad for British Airways came on – it had a supernatural melody, [The Flower Duet from Léo Delibes’ opera Lakmé]. I couldn’t believe that humans could create such sounds. I grew up with music at home – my grandmother taught me hymns from the church – but this was something different. I thought, “If someone can teach me how to [sing like] this, I can do it.” That’s how my journey began. Every time I would fly from Johannesburg to Cape Town, I’d try to fly British Airways so that I could hear that advert again.
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What are your favorite places you’ve performed?
I have grown up in the biggest opera houses in the world. My career started where everybody wants to arrive – I’ve sung in Milan at Teatro alla Scala, and in Paris, London, New York, Spain, Germany. Architecturally, each house has a distinct individuality, but what connects me to them most is what happens on the stage. Acoustically, I have a few favorites – the Metropolitan Opera House, where I first performed in 2013, felt like it was hugging my voice. To experience such acoustics is something that I treasure, and that [performance] gave my career direction. I love knowing that prestigious singers sang in these opera houses in the past, and that I’m following in those footsteps. Maria Callas sang in Houston and I’m going to make my Houston debut soon as Marguerite [in Gounod’s Faust].
Who is your role model?
I try not to look up to one person because it’s dangerous – you end up being a bad copy of them. Maria Callas is someone I admire in terms of how she could tell a story. And the beauty of Montserrat Caballé’s voice – her sound was like velvet. Or Mariella Devia, who you cannot take your eyes off when she’s on stage. There’s also a humility in seeing great artists still learning and perfecting their art.
What music do you listen to?
I love gospel and jazz – Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone are two of my favorite artists. I’m going through a huge shift in my personal life with both of my parents passing. I’m in a moment of being present, so I’m grateful for music because it gives me healing and an escape.
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How does fashion play a part in your career?
I have always thought that fashion and opera should be one. But I try not to overpower my voice with the outfits I wear on stage – I like to use color to make myself feel comfortable. A career highlight was singing at the coronation of King Charles III in 2023, where I was dressed by Stéphane Rolland. I always dreamed of being dressed by Dior, so it was huge to become its first ever opera ambassador. I always want to be elegant – that’s why Dior works for me, because of the simplicity of its pieces.
Do you collect anything?
Every time I go to a hotel, I buy a pen. I’ve been collecting them for the past 20 years – I probably have more than 300. They’re kept in a special memory box, and I use them to sign [opera] contracts. The reason I like pens is because my mom loved them – she passed that down to me.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Before I fell in love with opera, I loved cooking. If singing didn’t work out, I would have become a chef. My dishes are influenced by the places I’ve lived – South Africa, where I was born, and Italy, where I live now. [Italian cuisine] uses pure ingredients; it’s simple and healthy.
Your favorite places to travel?
I like to go to places that have the sun. South Africa is number one, because home is home. But I also love going to islands – the Maldives is one of my favorite destinations.
How do you define happiness?
There’s a difference between happiness and joy – happiness is subjective, whereas joy is not attached to something; it’s just there, like love. It’s like being rich and being wealthy – they’re two different things. I find joy when I sing and from the characters that I play on stage, whether it’s a sad story or a comedy. My songs always come from joy.
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