Politika, Serbia, September 2007

I would really like to come to Serbia! I know I have so many fans there, said Finnish opera singer, Tarja Turunen.

Tarja Turunen, one of the most popular Finnish singers, was a member of the famous symphonic metal band Nighwish for nine years, and now, she's working on her first solo album. This beautiful lady started singing as a child, and later, she has studied at the prestigious "Sibelius" music academy, and at the Music University in Karlsruhe.
11 years ago, Turunen was performing only classical music. But then she joines the band Nightwish, and becomes one of the most popular lady singers in metal genre. She left Nightwish 2 years ago. She has never neglected classical music, not even in Nightwish. She was performing at Savonlinna opera festival and was a regular member of Finnish national opera.
She has recently finished her first solo album, and for the "Politika" newpapers, she said she' constantly giving interviews these days. Her first solo album, "My Winter Storm" will be released at Nov. 9th.Tarja admits she's very happy that she's giving an interview for this newpaper, because it's one of the fisrt interviews for the Serb media.
- When I started to think about the solo album a few years ago, I wanted to make the movie sound, to combine metal and classic. I'm very happy now that all the work is done. I worked in Los Angeles, with the co-workers of the famous compositor Hans Zimmer. He gave me the permission to work in his studio "Remote Control".
We asked her what kind of memories she has of the "Nightwish" era:
- It's not easy to be a woman in metal band for nine years, but everything I experienced, different cultures and countries I saw, music experiences I got - it's priceless! Those were wonderful times and I can only be happy for being part of that life for so many years. I still listen Nightwish, even 'though I'm not their member anymore. Of course, there were bad things that happened too, leaving bad memories, but that's life too and each one of us should move on with his own life. I wish them luck, but I'm a solo singer now and I make different kind of music.
Tarja talks about combining metal and classical music:
- I really don't have a problem with it, these two go along perfectly, if you ask me. Education is very important when we talk about music, even if it's not classical music we're talking about.It would be very humiliating and devastating if I couldn't sing arias I could sing several years ago. You should work on your voice, on your self-education.
We also asked her for her touring plans and if she would like to come to Serbia. She said:
- I would really love to come to Serbia, I know I have so many fans there! I got a lot of letters, even presents from the fans from Serbia and I'm so happy about that!!! I plan a small tour 'till the end of this year, to see the audience reaction to my music. Greater tour is planned for April 2008, but I still don't know which countries I will go to. I already have an official invitation to make a concert in Serbia, so I have to thank for the warm and wonderful support they're giving me and send my best wishes to the fans from Serbia. And of course, I hope I'll see you soon - in Belgrade.

Translation by Danjiela