What is the best thing that I love about my work?

The possibility of sharing beauty. I believe art is a collective heritage — something that should be accessible and alive, not elitist. What I value most is creating moments of genuine connection through culture.

What is my idea of happiness?

Happiness is a fleeting moment of grace within the flow of everyday life. It cannot be possessed, only recognised and welcomed with gratitude. It lives in the presence of the people we love, in small things, in the capacity to be moved, to discover, and to remain open to wonder.

What is my greatest fear?

On a personal level, my deepest fears are connected to the well-being of the people I love. Beyond that, I fear wasting energy, missing what truly matters, or not fully realising the path I feel drawn to.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

A tendency toward excessive self-judgment, often accompanied by overthinking that slows me down. I am working on it — but it is not easy.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

I find it difficult to single out names, because I would risk doing a disservice to the many extraordinary people I work with every day. I think, for example, of the wonderful team at the Accademia di Santa Sofia, of which I am proud to be a part. We began as a small local reality, and seeing what we have built — always with friendship, seriousness, and passion — fills me with genuine excitement for what is still to come. I feel fortunate to encounter, daily, the generous and healthy side of the world of art and performance, which is not always an easy environment to navigate.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

While I understand the logic behind it, I am not fond of certain market-driven approaches that treat art as a disposable, fleeting commodity. I enjoy light entertainment as much as anyone, but I believe it should always be offered with care for quality and with respect for both artists and audiences.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

At the end of my professional debut, after the final note I sang, I remember thinking: this is difficult, and in some ways frightening, but it is the most beautiful job in the world. I can do this.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I would like more courage in following the unconventional ideas that come to me, more lightness in facing uncertainty, and a greater acceptance that we cannot always predict — or control — the direction of events.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

I am aware that I have already achieved things I would not have dared to expect, and I am genuinely grateful for them. At the same time, I feel very much at the beginning of a path — in full development, with a great deal still to learn, explore, and build.

Where would I most like to live?

I would like to be more nomadic. The world is too vast and fascinating not to explore it deeply. I want to encounter new cultures and artistic perspectives that can nourish my work and broaden my vision. I am particularly drawn to the ancient Mediterranean shores, to Eastern cultures, and to the countries of the North — and I dream of seeing the Northern Lights.

What is my most treasured possession?

What I value most cannot be held in a box — it lives in the love I have received and given, in the doors that were closed to me as much as in those that opened, in disappointments as well as in achievements, in everything that has shaped me and in my ability to keep growing and changing.

What is my most marked characteristic?

I am perhaps overly eclectic, and I’m not entirely sure it’s a virtue. I have too many interests—a constant whirlwind of ideas and projects, often very different from one another. At times it is exhausting and potentially dispersive. Keeping a steady course is not easy, but it is certainly electrifying.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

Without a doubt, the historic centre. In just a few steps, millennia of history unfold, coexisting harmoniously and in dialogue with the present. I chose to stay — to travel and then return — because I feel the pull of these roots. Benevento is a small gem, and I hope it will shine even more in the future.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

We have wonderful restaurants where you can enjoy excellent food and local wine just steps from ancient monuments. A simple privilege — and a rare one.

What books influenced my life and how?

I have been an avid and omnivorous reader since childhood. If I had to name one book, I cannot forget the first time I read The Sorrows of Young Werther by Goethe, and the profound emotional impact it left on me.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

Bach. Without a shadow of a doubt.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

This is a difficult question, because I tend to immerse myself deeply in what I read and to empathise with the characters of the moment. I partly recognise myself in the complex, sensitive female figures of Virginia Woolf — in their way of feeling the world intensely — and I aspire to their inner freedom, their lucidity, and their capacity to observe life with rare and unflinching depth.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

People who preserve kindness, integrity, and respect for others without surrendering to cynicism. Those with a clear, honest, and lively intelligence who regard kindness not as weakness, but as a form of strength.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?

The Seventh Seal. Every time I watch it, I discover something new.

What role play stories in my life and work?

A crucial one. Reading or watching stories broadens my perception of the world. I also write — a great deal — and find genuine stimulation in the creative process. It is not an escape from reality, but a way of understanding it more deeply, through other eyes.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ mean to me?

In no compelling story does the protagonist have an easy path. We empathise with the hero who makes mistakes, falls, and rises again — and this teaches us something essential about being human. We are both characters and storytellers, and the goal is to be at peace with the story we have lived.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My mother is my strictest critic, my most demanding judge — and also my greatest fan, fortunately without any dangerous glorification. Alongside her, a small circle of trusted friends who encourage me to believe in myself and keep moving forward, while helping me stay grounded.

Which people or companies would I like to work with?

I would like to immerse myself in the world — to encounter people and cultures that can inspire my creativity and expand my artistic vision. I am working so that this can happen more and more.

What project am I looking forward to work on?

I prefer to keep things under wraps for now, but the pot of ideas is always on — and boiling. Let’s see what comes out of it.

Where can you see me or my work?

On stage, wherever opportunities arise, or at the Conservatory, breathing in creative energy with my students. In my free time, you might find me in a historic centre, a vintage market, or an exhibition — somewhere beautiful, most likely.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

It is that small creature that has been gnawing inside me for as long as I can remember — a restless spring that pushes me forward every day. It feeds for a moment, and then starts again, even more demanding than before. And it has absolutely no intention of stopping.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?

Unconventional artists who follow a deeply personal path and cannot be confined within standard categories. I am especially drawn to voices that move across disciplines and create hybrid, boundary-crossing forms of expression.

How can you contact me?

You can follow my professional profiles on the main social media platforms.
For professional inquiries, you can contact me at marcellaparzialeoperasinger@gmail.com.
You can also follow my artistic direction work with the Accademia di Santa Sofia at:
www.accademiadisantasofia.it

You are the storyteller of your own life and you can create your own legend – or not!