Episode Eight with Guest Beste Kalender, Mezzo Soprano

Classical Voice Canada

Turkish-Canadian Mezzo Soprano Beste Kalender has gained international recognition in a very short time, for her voice and her stage presence, and she has much more to offer! Mysterious, convivial and intelligent; you’ll be taken with her the instant you meet her.

Beste chats with us about her early years in Turkey, and what got her excited about Opera singing. Her destination as a singer was chosen early but not solidified until she also explored Psychology... but a few wonderful experiences along the way helped her to recognize that it was music that would fulfil her.

In Beste's words, "What we do must be done with love, friendship, support, and humour", and I couldn't agree more. We chat about how essential it is to truly be part of a team when we are working on a production, and how important it is to always lift others up along the way. Her insights are valuable, in particular what she feels the balance is between learning the music and understanding the character, when developing an operatic role.

Recently, she appeared in Koerner Hall, in a tribute to Composer Patricia Morehead ~ in a safe, socially distanced format, this was an opportunity to make live music once again! Coming up this November, Beste will step onto the Koerner Hall stage once again, this time in a performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Not only a celebration of Beethoven, but a celebration too, of BIPOC artists, all lead by a wonderful artist.... tune in to hear who is spearheading this performance! Tickets are available now and are limited!