Mezzo-soprano Monica-Evelin Liiv: I didn't feel needed in Estonia

Mezzo-soprano Monica-Evelin Liiv, who performs on international opera stages, has revealed that she left Estonia because she did not feel needed there at the beginning of her career. Her dream is to step onto the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. In May and June 2027, she will go there for the first time to work for 1.5 months. Liiv has received a contract to be the cover (understudy) for Amneris in Giuseppe Verdi's opera Aida. If the main performer falls ill, Liiv will have to go on stage in her place.

According to Liiv, on the international opera scene, artists must constantly promote themselves. It all starts with auditions. She obtained the contract after coming to New York at the end of 2024 and passing an audition. She emphasizes that not only the theater stage matters, but also the productions, stage partners, and the atmosphere within the company. "The main thing is to have good colleagues around. It doesn't matter where you are; what matters more are the people surrounding you," she said, adding that for the public, however, the artist's performance in leading opera houses still carries more weight.

Competition among opera singers is very fierce, so one needs to stand out, be memorable, and be active. In big theaters, the atmosphere is usually very good. "The era of divas is over. The theater becomes stronger and more significant when people enjoy working there," Liiv believes.

A native of Tõrva, Liiv left Estonia because she did not feel needed. Friends advised her to try her luck abroad, and she took a risk. "Things gradually fell into place there. I realized that abroad I am needed more," she explained. This summer, Liiv will perform at the Tõrva Opera Days, which will take place on July 3–4. She is glad for the opportunity to sing in her hometown, allowing audiences who cannot travel abroad or even to Tallinn to experience major cultural events.