Kuslap reflects on long career as six singers form ensemble

Estonian singer Voldemar Kuslap says he is grateful to have enjoyed a long career on stage, while recognising that age eventually takes its toll on a singer’s voice and health. He spoke on ERR’s programme “Hommik Anuga” after recently celebrating his 89th birthday.

This autumn, Kuslap and fellow opera singers Väino Puura, Jassi Zahharov, Oliver Kuusik, Rene Soom and Heldur Harry Põlda have come together as the ensemble Härrasmehed Muusikas. Their programme features familiar melodies from theatre and film. The singers said they had not performed together in this line-up before.

Puura welcomed the mix of generations, while Kuusik and Põlda said they were glad to perform alongside singers from whom they had learned. Põlda recalled watching them on stage as a boy in a choir and said he considered it a great honour to join them.

The singers also discussed protecting their voices as colder weather approaches. Zahharov said he was already wearing a scarf to keep his neck covered. Soom joked that singers are in top form twice a year: once when they have no performance and once when they are on holiday.

Kuslap, who recently spent time in hospital, said he was feeling much better and thanked the doctors and friends who had helped him. He added that he would rather not discuss his health further. The new programme, put together under Martin Trudnikov’s direction, has encouraged Kuslap to return to singing after he had begun stepping back from it.

He said that, at 89, the effects of time were showing in his voice and physical condition, and that ending a singing career was an inevitable part of life. Kuslap said he was grateful for the length of his career and for the chance to make music with such colleagues.