Interview with INGRID
— Is your amazing voice a legacy? Does someone from your family sing well, from whom were these talents passed on?
— My beloved dad, Giorgio, in addition to being a cinema lover, and movie theatre manager, was also a radio speaker and he had an incredibly elegant and deep voice. He was a vinyl collector and, probably, gave me a powerful voice (it is more noticeable in live shows than in my discography) as well as a big passion for music. But natural gifts alone, are not enough; they must be trained. So, as soon as I realised that I was very in-tune, and with a nice tone, I went to singing school to learn the technique; and I still train today.
— You practically grew up in the cinema, so didn’t you think to try yourself in the role of an actress or did you have such an experience?
— I was struck by the soundtracks of cinema more than acting. My father used to buy the corresponding CD of each film they screened and played it before and after each programming… and also in the lobby, the waiting room, before the screening. So, I had time to study every note, nuance and interpretation. I remember, among the many, the impressive soundtracks by Vangelis or the poetic and melancholy ones by Ennio Morricone. Have you ever tried to remove the sound from a film to understand its importance? Test it, please, on a horror movie or a crime story. It is no longer scary.
— In what duet did you enjoy performing the most (and with whom)?
— In the last twenty years of my career abroad, concentrated in the last decade mainly in Eastern countries, I have had several opportunities to collaborate with foreign artists. I will mention some names: Авраам Руссо («Подожди»), splendid love song, Жанна Фриске, Непоседы (in Kremlin), Soso Pavliashvili, Александр Иншаконов (“Юнона и Авось”). Also duet with Pupo and Toto Cutugno, and Mark Tishman. All beautiful experiences made in friendship, for live or TV performances.
— What was your first impression of Russia, what do you remember, what did you like and dislike?
— There is an Italian song called, Ho Amato Tutto, translated, «I loved everything». Here, answering to your question, I steal this title: I loved everything! My first memorable time was in St. Petersburg, in the middle of winter, about twenty years ago. It was -23 degrees and I remember that it was not cold for me, coming from the River Po Valley, where at zero degrees you do not leave the house, due to humidity and really penetrating, annoying cold. That on the other hand, was a dry cold that didn’t bother. Then, came the Siberian -50 degrees in Yakutsk! How beautiful! What a beautiful adventure, what an experience to travel the entire world by opening your eyes, ears, brain, all senses and heart and finally learning everything you had learned in school books which seemed only theory. How would I repeat it all!
— Do you really speak 4 languages? At what level? And where did you study, because it takes a lot of time, I guess?
— I speak a little of everything. English, French, Italian, a little Russian and Polish. I like studying and traveling. Listening has helped me. I would survive anywhere.
— Tell us what performance in your entire life do you remember the most, and why?
— The most unusual stage in my life, was the ring of a boxing championship final. Me with heels on that mattress, so funny! And also in an Aquarium (Genoa) in front of an immense tank containing sharks in which I was forbidden to sing songs with too high-pitched vocalizations. Unique situations!
— Why would you like to perform in Russia on Red Square? Why is this place attractive for you personally?
— Who wouldn’t want to perform in Moscow’s Red Square? I think it is the dream of all artists. So characteristic and only few international celebrities have had this opportunity.
— In one of the interviews you said that you have no personal life. Is the situation the same now, or have you chosen one? Or perhaps, you do not want to advertise and draw attention to this?
— want to be honest, my situation today is the same! Nothing has changed. I am always focused on my work, from which I have not yet “divorced” and I still get along well with it. A few more cats, a mother to cuddle more and more. Other passions such as the philosophy, in which I graduated, and the restoration and real estate design. A life certainly not boring and full of commitments. Until I find a person who has three characteristics that are rare nowadays: tenderness, seriousness, a sense of humour. It seems to be a real UTOPIA!
— In which countries have you not performed yet, but would like to?
— I have been traveling continuously for 20 years. From Siberia to Mexico, leaving out only a few countries. Honestly, I have been hoping to go to Kamchatka for years. I have seen very fascinating photos. There is such a powerful and varied nature there, and it would be a real adventure.
— Are you psychologically pressed in the past, when there were too many concerts and there was no time to relax? How do you like touring life in general?
— I have never felt in trouble with my job. Never regretted having “married” him. Even when I was on 15 planes a month. I don’t mind not having time to relax. I have never known relaxation and I don’t know how to enjoy it. I’m afraid it’s a problem, even for those around me. I love to challenge myself, have goals to achieve, create, invent, and transform. The only things that don’t belong to me are boredom and laziness.
— What kind of person, in your opinion, do you have to be in order to become a successful singer, what qualities are absolutely necessary?
— There is no recipe or rule. It would be too easy. A pinch of natural talent, be it a good vocal timbre or intonation, or a sense of rhythm would be a good start. But then, you need technique and to study that to allow these natural gifts to develop correctly. And then, a lot of humility and professionalism to stay and last over time.
— How are you going through quarantine, what are you doing?
— The pandemic has changed our lives. Nobody would have ever imagined it. I spent the first 15 days, I think, like everyone else, literally glued to the television; totally incredulous in front of those news. Then I said to myself, “Let’s try to make this moment productive”. And I have never worked so hard in my life. I transformed the house, painted walls, restored furniture and rooms, made a vegetable garden in my mother’s home, wrote a song with the theme of the pandemic entitled, Be Italian, produced an animated video; in which a combative and hopeful Italy is portrayed. Why shouldn’t we let ourselves be won!
— What are your favourite bands?
— There’s no one favourite, sorry!
— Favourite TV series, movie
— All Alfred Hitchcock’s movies.
— Actress-actor
— Eddie Redmayne, Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.
— Favourite colour and number
— Green, all variations of it, especially military green. People call me, a green girl. Is it a big problem if I don’t have a favourite number?
— Rain or sun?
— Sun, always.
— Favourite alcoholic drink
— Wine.
— Active or passive rest?
— Never rest.
— Sports?
— Never… I always say, tomorrow I will start.
— Describe your dream home
— In front of the sea.
— The craziest dream?
— Hmm… let me think!
— Describe yourself in just one word
— Unique.
— Write something last for your fans
— VI AMO! (I love you, in Italian) and GRAZIE! (Thanks in Italian).