Special - The Vânia Fernandes interview | Eurovision Song Contest News - 2008 Belgrade, Serbia 

Vânia is a 23 year-old singer that won the last edition of the popular Idol like show “Operação Triunfo” in Portugal. She that will perform the song “Senhora do Mar” at the 2008 Festival da Canção and she spoke to esctoday.com Luis Florindo about herself and her song.

Can you describe how you felt when you were announced as the winner of Operação Triunfo 2007?

I don’t know if can put it into words... Above all I felt a profound gratitude for the support and the confidence people have given me, by voting for me. I felt a great joy for this recognition and a great responsibility because people chose me to represent a great generation of singers and artists: my colleagues on the show. 

Can you describe to us the song that Carlos Coelho and Andrej Babic produced?

It’s a great song, a song full of strength. It is a hymn to all the women that have lost relatives in the sea. This is a familiar situation for me coming from an island as Madeira. Senhora do Mar is a powerful ballad and I fall in love for it every time I hear it. 

 

By winning Operação Triunfo you won a 75 thousand Euro scholarship. Is there any Portuguese or international music school where you would like to study in?

I am still searching and gathering different opinions from people in the music business. I don’t know where I will go but I will go in the pursuit of music.

Can you explain the learning process you went through at the Operação Triunfo music academy. What were the main differences between the show and your classical training at the Funchal Music School?

It is a completely different approach to teaching music and singing skills. The singing techniques are universal, but classical music has different demands from pop music. Sometimes the things that seem simple are indeed the most difficult. There is always something to improve and it is always a big challenge. At the Operação Triunfo music academy I learned a lot about music, dancing, interpretation and also about myself. 

What kind of music do you prefer? What are your favourite singers and bands?

I like many different music genres, ranging from classical music to rock.

My ideal pick is like a “cocktail”... As a starter a very “fresh” Debussy, followed by a well “seasoned” Ella Fitzgerald mixed with Amalia, Piazolla and Mayra Andrade and Cold Play on the side. To top it of Richard Bona and Corrine Bailey and Aretha Franklin as a dessert.

You will also have the chance to make a record. Do you have any idea on the kind of music you would like to sing?

I would like to be original and creative by showing the public all that I am... I would like my album to contain a lot of different sonorities and I would like it to be a mix of sensations. At the moment I don’t know what my record label has in store for me.

Have you always wanted to be a singer? Tell us how was your connection to singing in your childhood and teenage years.  

Since an early age I dreamt on being a singer. I used to sing for my neighbours on the terrace of my house. Then the first real opportunity came when I participated in a singing contest of my hometown Funchal. Henceforward many gigs came about and I started singing in hotels and local events around Madeira Island. They helped me reach where I am now and I am very thankful. My parents and my family were also very important along the way. They were always supportive.

What memories do Festival da Canção and the Eurovision Song  Contest bring you?

They bring many memories...I remember Dulce Pontes with Lusitana Pauxão and also Anabela and Sara Tavares. The first songs I sang in public came from Festival da Canção like Chamar a Música that won in 1994.

If the Portuguese audience picks you to be at the forthcoming Eurovision Songcontest will it be a dream come true?

It most certainly will... Taking part in the national final will be the fulfilment of a dream for itself because I grew up watching such an event as Festival da Canção. It will be a great honour.