The Magical Voice of Cherrynia Vanderpuye, Student in Perugia
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Ester Andrina - 6 September 2024
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What better place to study the Bel Canto technique than Italy, the birthplace of opera
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Just off Corso Vannucci in the historic centre of Perugia lies the Morlacchi Conservatory, one of Italy's oldest and most prestigious music institutes. I used to live nearby and occasionally attended concerts in its auditorium. This is how I came to know soprano Cherrynia Vanderpuye, who left an unforgettable impression with her amazing voice. How could this fragile young woman produce such a powerful sound? I decided to ask her.​
Ester Cherrynia, thank you for taking the time on this hot summer day in Perugia to tell us a little more about yourself.
You grew up in the Netherlands and England, and then decided to take the bold step of studying in Italy.
Cherrynia Actually, from a very young age, I always had this dream to study in Italy. I mean, what better place to study music than the birthplace of opera, which is Italy. To learn the Bel Canto technique, to really see how it’s done, in the most authentic way possible. So when I got the chance to do an Erasmus exchange in Perugia, I jumped at it.
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Ester Now you have Italy all around you, is that of inspiration for you?
Cherrynia Yes, absolutely, I like the style of teaching at the Conservatory, living in the city of Perugia, the language, everything. Studying music in a British university was completely different. In Perugia I have made a huge improvement in my performance skills and technique.
Video of Cherrynia performing in a church near the Trasimeno Lake
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Ester I've seen this development, you are an impressive personality on stage. Could you tell us something about your background? We were both born in the Netherlands.
Cherrynia I spent my primary school years in The Netherlands and then did my secondary school and university in Newcastle, the UK. Singing has always been my passion. My mother put me in singing upon the advice of her friends, so I started taking lessons from an early age. During my secondary years I attended a weekend music school on Sundays, where I received a very good basic education in singing, music theory and piano.
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Ester Being at the Perugia Conservatory with students from all over the world, do you feel that you lift each other up?
Cherrynia Oh yes, it is magic when we open our minds together and try to figure out how to bring a piece of music to life. Working with other musicians is a great experience, the students at the conservatory are very talented.
Ester What music do you like to sing?
Cherrynia I enjoy singing coloratura arias, such as Mozart's 'Queen of the Night' arias, O zittre nicht and Der Hölle Rache, and Les oiseaux dans la charmille from Offenbach's Les contes d'Hoffmann.
Ester Thank you so much Cherrynia for sharing your story with us. One last question, as my website is about Umbria and we both live in Perugia. What is your favourite place in this region?
Cherrynia The views from Perugia are spectacular, and you are so close to nature. Every little place has a story here, and the architecture has not changed. The Corso Vannucci is still the same as it was hundreds of years ago. One of the places in Umbria that has a special charm for me is Spello, with its narrow streets and flowers, and you also have a magnificent view from there.
Ester Yes, just look at where we are sitting now, in the shadow of an Etruscan wall, under the trees of a romantic park with a fountain.​
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Thank you Cherrynia, I am so glad you agreed to do this interview, as you know I am an admirer ever since I first heard you sing. I hope the readers have got to know you a little better, and I can only advise anyone to take the opportunity to come and see you when you have a concert in Perugia.​
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