Interpreting with the Lirico Soul: An Interview with Jiakai Li
- WOMCO
- 20 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Jiakair Li from Bulgaria has been awarded the Platinum Prize and the Outstanding Interpretation Special Award in the Professional (No Age Limit) category at the 2025 Season 3 Schubert International Music Competition. The season ran from June 23 to September 23, with results announced in October. As part of our winner interview series, we invited Jiakai to share insights into his performance, artistic approach, and musical journey.
Could you share the background of your award-winning video performance and how you chose your repertoire?
Jiakai Li:
"The piece I chose is Leporello’s aria 'Madamina, il catalogo è questo' from Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni. It is a highly challenging work, and also one of my strongest pieces. The difficulty lies not only in capturing the musical style, but also in its complex rhythms and text. As a non-native speaker, the most challenging part is understanding the precise meaning of every word, and then delivering each one according to the character’s personality—singing with my own interpretation and style."
Receiving the Outstanding Interpretation Special Award highlights the individuality of your performance. How did you approach preparing and interpreting your award-winning performance?
Jiakai Li:
"During my preparation, while respecting the composer’s original score, I also incorporated my personal understanding of the piece. This includes shaping the continuity of each phrase and adjusting dynamics in many sections to create more layers and richness in the performance."
Could you tell us about your musical journey and your goals for the future?
Jiakai Li:
"Looking ahead, I hope to remain on stage and sing in larger opera houses, largely because I am deeply passionate about this profession. Although pursuing a career in bel canto is incredibly demanding, I firmly believe that challenges and opportunities coexist. In the future, I hope to continue refining my artistry and share my voice with more people."
