I’m Pantesilena Jaho, on the beginnings of my artistic career as a pianist and repetiteur. 

What is the best thing that I love about my work?  Working as a classical pianist, especially as a repetiteur in the Opera world, it gives me the opportunity to live and be part of so many beautiful stories, and tell them with my music. Being part of the whole experience called “Opera”, is something every person that loves music, should experience at least once, and to create that for them, by collaborating with so many brilliant artists, who always teach me something new about this profession and myself as a musician, it’s such a special feeling! 

What is my idea of happiness?  Feeling self accomplished, professionally and personality wise. believe that once you are close at achieving that, you can truly be happy! 

Photo credits: Javier del Real

What is my greatest fear? I would say monotony and routine. Living a life that doesn’t challenge me or doesn’t allow me to grow. 

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?  I am myself’s worst critic. Sometimes i deal with the imposter syndrome, being quite demanding of myself. If in a performance, out of 10 things, i would do 9 perfectly, but 1 wouldn’t go according to my expectations, my time and energy will be invested on the idea of how not everything went how i wanted. However i like to think about it in a positive way, 

1. Because i understand that my approval, of myself, is the one that makes the difference for my confidence, and 

2. There will always be place to, not search for perfection, but for improvement. 

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? There are so many great musicians that i admire, my soloist persona would say my piano professors (Valbona Kasaj, Giovanna Prestia and Alessandra Ammara for everything they taught me), and of course, is there even a pianist that doesn’t admire K. Zimmerman or M. Argerich…but in a more personal and relatable way, one person that i look up to, is the soprano Ermonela Jaho, who happens to be my aunt as well. She taught me from a very young age, the real struggles of being a performer, and looking beyond the beautiful surface of the applauds and flowers. 

What is my greatest extravagance? Traveling. Discovering traditions, cultures of different countries, broaden my horizon…it gives me peace and makes me feel more alive, at the same time; lucky as well, that a very important part of what i do includes traveling to different places and getting to know different people, being colleagues and most of the times, friends. 

On what occasion would I lie? Never. My behaviour is based on what i would like to receive, therefore i prefer honesty or silence, when it’s more respectful. 

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? How subjective art and music can be. I think it’s one of the rare professions, where personal opinion has quite a say in it. And of course how competitive the industry of classical music is. Although it’s so important to dive into that, (personally) keeping in mind how easy it is to be a musician, but so difficult to be an artist. 

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? Being called “inspirational” regardless my experience. And of course, having audience approaching me after performances, in person or by text, to tell me how they appreciated my music, and it moved them. As an artist, that’s my purpose, to make everyone who listens feel something, whether is joy, or melancholy; i feel like the artist “owes” that to the public and to his/herself. 

If I could, what would I change about myself? I am an overthinker and somehow, a workaholic. Sometimes i get quite stressed when i don’t have the amount of work i desire to have, and i am working with myself on trying to be more relaxed and appreciative, even of my free time (it won’t come back). 

What is my greatest achievement in work? The year 2022 was the one that marked the start of my career as a professional performer. It marked different debuts, mentioning Teatro Real, and Festival Peralada (both Spain). Would i call it my greatest achievement? Until now, no doubt, yes! Greatest ever? My ambition won’t let me. I humbly am aware that there is so much work ahead of me, to create an artistic experience and professionalism, worth sharing. 

Where would I most like to live? I think it would definetly be somewhere in Europe, close to my family. I’ve already lived in different countries, like Albania, Italy and currently Spain. And who knows what the next destination will be…but longterm, the most important requirement to fulfill would be direct flights to visit my family. 

What is my most treasured possession? My awareness in a way. I feel lucky to have the possibility of pursuing my passion, and to understand the importance of being humble and conscious about all the hard work that comes, even with the tiniest of success. 

What is my most marked characteristic? I would say positivity, and confidence. It used to be one of my weaknesses and i had to work quite a lot (still do everyday), to reach a strong mindset fitted for this industry, and to call it a Strength as well. 

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?  Whether it’s my city, Tirana, or Madrid, i find inspiration at the theater, or at places that bring me close to nature; such as a day with my coffee and sometimes with my sketchbook, at the park. 

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? I don’t have a specific favorite, but i always prefer the small hidden coffee shops or bars, that give a more authentic experience and view of the city, where i can have a good time with friends! (About places to eat, i am more of a stay and cook at home kind of person.) 

What books influenced my life and how? I’ve always been the person who would read a few completely different books simultaneously, and i believe that every single one of them influenced my character somehow; for example i would mention the works of F.S.Fitzgerald, or anything that introduces me to innovative ideas, and challenges what i know, or will even question my way of thinking. 

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? I would imagine that day, accompanied by my favorite instrumental soundtracks…but especially with the meaningful and emotional Sinatra’s song, “My way”. 

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Perhaps Puccini’s female leads, such as Madame Butterfly. And of course Austen’s Elizabeth Bennet! 

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? My parents. I wouldn’t be where i am if it wasn’t for their sacrificies and unconditional love, support and faith. 

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? I am a huge cinema lover, so it would be impossible to chose just one (I even took a soundtrack composing course at a point, just to have a glimpse of that world)! However i would reccomend psychological fiction, inspiring and interesting profiles based on real people/their achievements and, in a more romantic way, anything starring Audrey Hepburn. 

What role play stories in my life and work? My work is all about giving life to different stories! Creativity has been an important part of mine, with writing at a young age or drawing; and now, being part of this storytelling for the different operas and productions in which i work, and will in the future. 

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? It hits close to home. I come from a small country called Albania, with hardworking talented people, whom didn’t have a lot of opportunities, and they always had to work twice as hard to succeed, while leaving privilege and luck on a second plan. However encouragement, persuasion and guidance, to follow their passion and ambition, while being conscious about the difficulties, and simply knowing that anything is possible, was and is the key to success for many young adults who need to hear that Everyone is their own life’s storyteller, meaning that the theory of attraction is real, and at the end, there is a place for all of us in this world, in stories waiting to be written. 

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? I would say my family and close friends. The persons who believed in my capacity and potential, when it was the most impossible thing for me to do. 

Which people or companies would I like to work with? I believe that every single person, whether is a singer, musician, conductor, stage director…teaches me something new, and adds to my creativity. The dream is to work with different theatres and opera houses for their productions, worth mentioning the possibility of working with the ROH, Bastille, Deutsche Oper, and of course, the MET! At the end, they say “Dreaming is free”! 

What project am I looking forward to work on? The projects i am looking forward to, or at least some that i can mention, are : becoming part of this year’s Wexford’s Opera Festival as a repetiteur, and a few tour-concerts in Asia. 

Where can you see me or my work? 

– I am active on 

Instagram: 

https://instagram.com/pantesilenajaho?

igshid=ZDc40DBmNjlmNQ== 

and on my professional 

Website: https://pantesilenajaho.com/ 

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? With the passing of the years, of life experience, an artist in this case, will have more to eventually share and give to the audience. We will remain students practically our whole life, and that is quite exciting as well, to discover something new about our passion day by day! 

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story? I wouldn’t prefer on being specific about it, since i fear of forgetting someone who would completely deserve the recognition. However i would love to see more people of the Opera world, sharing their stories, and inspirational experience! 

How can you contact me? -By social media where i provide website info and e-mail.