Who is Valeria Sepe?
A Neapolitan soprano and actress who lives life at full volume. On stage, I throw myself into extreme passions and tragic deaths, but when the curtain falls, I don’t leave that intensity behind. I bring the same fierce, slightly crazy passion into my everyday life. I love a challenge, never back down, and embrace life as it comes, without filters. I’m deeply grounded, yet completely unpredictable. That contrast is my true strength.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
One day, I’d love to step into a director’s shoes. I absolutely love being on stage as a singer and actress, but every aspect of the creative process sparks my imagination. Experiencing a production from the other side – shaping its entire visual world and bringing the narrative to life – is a challenge I’d be excited to take on. I’d love to dive into that beautiful creative chaos. Why not?
Who inspires you and why?
My greatest source of inspiration is my teacher, the legendary Raina Kabaivanska. She taught me the most important truth about our profession: raw talent is only the starting point, and talent alone is never enough. To become a truly great professional artist, you must nurture that talent every single day through tireless study, solid technique, rigorous discipline and, above all, intelligence. I’m inspired by her ability to master her passion with reason, while never sacrificing honesty or emotional truth on stage – the very things that allow an artist to reach the audience’s heart.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I would try to make a difference by building genuine human connections and moving people both on and off stage. In a world that moves too fast, dominated by social media and constant hustle, kindness, generosity and the willingness to share have become precious rarities. These are the values I try to live by every day. On stage, I give my whole soul through music, but away from the spotlight, I leave the artist behind to protect the empathy and warmth that make us human.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
My ideal holiday is simply going back to my homeland. I absolutely love the sea, the sunshine and the warmth. I don’t need an exotic destination to unwind and recharge. All I need is the slower pace of my own little corner of the world and the warmth of being surrounded by the people I love most.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I’d take them straight to the Regent Theatre to see our new production of La Bohème. There’s no better place to be in Melbourne right now! Constantine Costi is doing an extraordinary job of bringing every character to life, creating a visually stunning, highly cinematic production bursting with energy.
I want audiences to come to the theatre and truly connect with the stories of the entire cast, especially our Mimì. Forget the traditional, fragile 19th-century heroine who passively accepts her fate. This is a modern woman, passionate and full of joie de vivre, and with every rehearsal, Constantine and I are shaping her into someone who feels increasingly part of me. Come to the theatre! I promise to take your breath away and make you feel every moment.
What are you currently reading?
To be completely honest, the only thing on my bedside table at the moment is the score of Puccini’s La Bohème. During a production, that’s what I focus on exclusively. However, working so closely with Constantine Costi on this new vision of the opera has inspired me to revisit the original novel that inspired it, Henri Murger’s Scènes de la vie de bohème. I’m rereading it with fresh eyes, looking for deeper connections with young people today, their hopes and their uncertainties. It’s my way of continuing to nourish the character, day by day.
What are you currently listening to?
I actually listen to all kinds of music, without limiting myself to any particular genre. I believe it’s essential for a musician to keep their ear flexible and their mind open to different influences. Of course, Puccini’s score fills my working hours, but outside the theatre, my playlist ranges from the intimate sounds of classic jazz and soul to contemporary instrumental music. Every genre has its own emotional truth and rhythm, and exploring such diverse musical worlds is the only way I know to keep nurturing my musicality.
Happiness is?
First and foremost, it’s a state of mind, a conscious choice to approach life with a smile every single day. In the theatre, it comes down to that precise second of silence just before the opera’s first note begins. In that very moment, Valeria disappears, becoming a human vessel ready to welcome a new soul: the character who will come to life on stage.
I make room for her to take over and live her entire story, so I can share it with the audience in all its truth and authenticity. It’s a moment of pure magic, and I absolutely love it. In everyday life, happiness means knowing I’m surrounded by genuine people who love me, and constantly striving to become a better version of myself so I can fully enjoy this beautiful journey called life.
What does the future hold for you?
New vocal challenges and new stages are certainly on the horizon. But what excites me most is the part of the future we cannot predict. That’s where I hope to find a sense of pure wonder, as I continue to challenge myself and grow as a well-rounded artist. And why not? I hope the future will give me the strength to continue this journey with the same enthusiasm and love that I feel today.
Valeria stars as Mimi in Opera Australia’s production of La Bohème – which plays Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from 7 – 18 November 2026. For more information, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.
Image: Valeria Sepe (supplied)