Shooka Afshar: Translations of Being Through Sight and Sound

In this episode, we speak to The Quantum Soprano, Shooka Afshar, this is our second interview with the dynamic opera singer, and composer. This discussion centers around her performance at El Nido art space, curated by VC Projects, titled “Translations of Being Through Sight and Sound” where she sings opera arias and art songs and is accompanied by pianist Anthony Cardella. Oil paintings by Shane Guffogg are also on view during the event.

This discussion begins by Shooka Afshar sharing some basic opera history, and discussing some key elements of composing and singing. The event at El Nido features Shooka’s selections of arias and art songs that she performs. In addition, her program pays homage to legendary sopranos and celebrated composers, and speaks briefly about important research she has uncovered. What she shares in this talk is quite fascinating. We get a taste of what she may be sharing during the performance at El Nido touching on the life of Claude Debussy, and some of the women in his life that shaped his career. These stories are quite interesting. We also learn about English Soprano Florence Easton (1882-1955), and her incredible range and colorful life as an opera singer. This is a very sincere conversation with Shooka Afshar, I am always grateful to spend time learning about her world and the many facets of being a Quantum Soprano. 

Shooka Afshar, Iranian soprano, composer, and City of Boston Certified Artist, is an active recitalist in classical and Iranian repertoire. She received her Master’s Degree in Music in classical vocal performance and her Teaching Artist certificate in May 2014 from Longy School of Music. She made her operatic debut as the “Princess” in Dvorak’s opera The Cunning Peasant in its U.S. premiere produced by the Calliope Ensemble at the First Unitarian Church of Boston in February 2014. Some of her recent appearances include The Coded Birth at the Institute of Contemporary Arts Boston, Turn Me Into A Mannequin at NYU, and her new opera Women / Immigration / Fight or Flight, at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston in 2021. Shooka is going to expand her mixed-media opera at an artist residency near Milan, Villa Emma, in July 2022 and she’s planning to tour her opera nationally and internationally.

To learn more about Shooka Afshar The Quantum Soprano, visit her website at: www.shookaafshar.com