She is one of the world's most popular opera singers, but Danielle de Niese still found it "quite unexpected" when she was offered a lead role in the West End revival of the hit musical Aspects of Love, especially after thinking she'd failed the audition.
The internationally renowned soprano was juggling a typically busy schedule, rehearsing for a production with the English National Opera while also performing at the Royal Opera House, when she got the call from director Jonathan Kent to audition for him with a few songs from the show.
"Everything went wrong that day," she tells HELLO!. "I went to meet Jonathan, looked in my bag and my music wasn't there. It's very rare for me not to be prepared, but my time had become not my own.
"They put their arms around me, gave me some fresh copies of the music and said: 'Come on, darling, it's fine, but I felt flustered and panicked. I needed my music, with my notes in my handwriting.
"I have to be honest, I left thinking: 'Oh well, never mind,' and didn't think about it again. Then a month later, I got the offer and I was really surprised."
Denne historien er fra July 31, 2023-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
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Denne historien er fra July 31, 2023-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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VEGAN VOYAGE
Starting out on a no-meat stint for Veganuary? Or are you simply looking for recipes to liven up your repertoire? These delicious plantbased dishes from Dunja Gulin are a perfect place to start
REAL LIFE ON THE 'RIVALS' SET
James Lowsley-Williams on his family's historic home, the Cotswolds estate that has starred in both Poldark and Rivals and where he grew up playing with Princes William and Harry
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex release a new image of their rarely-seen children with echoes of a famous photo of Harry with his mother
ROYAL RISING STARS
This will be a busy year for the Wales children, with increasing public appearances finely balanced with their education and family life
ELEGANT ROYAL REUNION
After a tough year, the King, Queen and Prince and Princess of Wales lead the traditional outing to church at Sandringham, where charming Princess Charlotte steals the show...
ALL THAT GLITTERS
A new exhibition at the V&A will celebrate Cartier, one of the world's most famous jewellery houses, which has been adorning royals, aristocrats and A-listers for more than 100 years
BACK IN SCOTLAND AS QUEEN OF THE CASTLE
As she returns to front The Traitors, Claudia Winkleman tells us about sourcing bespoke knitwear, using her daughter's tactics to avoid spoilers and being terrified about how viewers will react
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A YEAR TO REMEMBER
Our round-up of 2024's fairytale weddings, bouncing babies and fond farewells.
OPPOSITES ATTRACT AT PARIS PREMIERE
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