Get to Know Monica and Diego

Monica Conesa, the American Cuban soprano, and Diego Torre, the Mexican Australian tenor are making their Seattle Opera debuts as Nedda and Canio. Discover how they started, their artistic influences, and favorite pastimes.

Monica Conesa, Soprano

A dream come true: This role is very, very special to me because it’s one of the operas that I fell in love with first. As a teenager, I listened to the last scene over and over again. I pretended to be Nedda. It’s so dramatic, so incredible. Because this is my role debut, I guess that I’ve been preparing for this moment all my life. It’s been cooking in my head since I was 14 or 15 years old.

The family business: My parents are doctors—my mother a gynecologist, my father an orthopedist. My uncle’s a plastic surgeon and my grandfather is an OB/GYN. But my family appreciates arts. They introduced me to opera at an early age. The entire family is super supportive and will be in Seattle for my performance. Their advice was “Love your job; you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Monica Conesa seen here in the 2023 Teatro Filarmonico's production of Aida.
© Teatro Filarmonico/Verona

Coming to America: So far, my career has been crazy. I sang my first role at the Arena di Verona as Aida. I’ve performed entirely in Europe at places like Teatro Campoamor de Ovieda and the Palazzo Mauro de André. Not only is this my role debut, but it is also my US debut. So, I’m so, so, so excited!

What would a therapist say: My voice? She’s my best friend. She’s full of possibilities. She can be the most beautiful gentle cushion, and then she can be a knife. I don’t know if that’s a description of my voice, but sometimes that’s how I feel when I sing. My voice is always excited to try new things and will try to push the limits. I love my voice. Now, this is where a therapist would say, “You’re talking about yourself, you know.” 

Inspired by the past: I’ve been told that my voice is like Maria Callas. It started when I was 14 or 15. At the time, I didn’t know any famous opera singers of the past. Then I sang “Cara mio ben” at a competition. One of the judges commented, “Voice like Callas.” That started my interest in Callas. She was incredible, and her attention to detail is just amazing. 

Never leave home without it: I travel everywhere with my Bialetti Moka Pot. She’s my baby. It’s a game changer, especially when I’m in places without good coffee. Thank God, I have my coffee pot! I’m excited to check out Seattle’s coffee scene.

Diego Torre, Tenor

Too noisy, too loud: Mexican culture is a singing culture. We sing for everything—happy and sad times. I’m told that after I said my first words, I was singing. It probably wasn’t pleasant because I remember my sister always saying, “ Hey shut up. Too noisy and too loud.” At the recommendation of my elementary school teacher, my parents agreed to get me voice lessons. In high school the teachers would take me out of class to sing to prospective parents visiting the school.

A chance audition: My last year of high school, I went with my friend to the university. He wanted to get music scores from the library. I saw a flyer for auditions and signed up. I said to myself, “Well, let’s see if I really have the voice and talent that everybody’s telling me that I have. I was accepted and that started my career.

In the moment: For years Pagliacci was my favorite opera because it was the first opera that I sang. That’s different now. I’m at a point where I enjoy the moment. My favorite opera is the one that I’m performing at the time.

Diego Torre in Opera Australia's 2024 production of Tosca.
© Jeff Busby, Opera Australia

Aiming for perfection: I believe all singers think this way. Perfection never is going to happen, but at least it’s an inspiration that we have. Perfection is the motivation that we have to get better every single time. I always give a hundred percent—no matter if it’s a performance or if it’s a rehearsal.

A complex character: Canio is often interpreted as a violent man. He’s more complex than that. He’s not one dimensional. He’s an old man trying to keep his company running. He takes care of Nedda; he cares for the people in his troupe. Nedda is young and has many lovers. But he marries her, nonetheless. It’s the way that she defies him that breaks his spirit. He’s a broken man who has no reason to go on. I’m not excusing violence against women. But in his situation, I think he acted because he’s broken.

Gamer on the road: When I’m not singing, I cook, play guitar, and play video games. Call of Duty is my favorite. I travel with a Nintendo Switch. It’s the most portable. I’ll bring it with me. It’s a long flight from Sydney to Seattle.

Pagliacci runs August 3–17, 2024 at McCaw Hall.
Tickets and info at seattleopera.org/pagliacci.