Sophia Dalle

Candid chat with Sophia Dalle Peggy North interviews the "Diva of the Underground"

Q: How do you describe your singing career?
Sophia: Like the epic poem of Sri Auribindo Savitri, wherein Savitri must outwit death and demand her lover must be brought back to life. That love is stronger than death, would probably be the existential answer. the journey of self-exploration into the recesses of archetypal emotions in humankinds subconscious. If I could sing all of humanities tears and then by birthing their sorrows in my voice ,they would exist no more and turn to joy. I grew up on blues and found I had an enormous opera voice .I wasn’t a jazz singer classique, my vibrato and operatic quality was too apparent, I wasn’t a classic blues singer for the same reason .The style evolved overtime.

Q: Any big hit, yet?
Sophia: No, there is not a big hit yet. I have not crafted my official CD . Growing as an artist has taken time. However I will be in the studio soon.

Q: They call you the "Diva of Underground". What underground?
Sophia: NYC has an underground of artists and particular people attuned to the pathos I present.

Q: Do you like being called "Diva of the underground"? What does this stigma bring to you as a cabaret singer?
Sophia: Diva of the Underground. Yes, I think I do. You know, my persona is perhaps not for everyone. I sing to sing. I sing to touch people in the deepest recesses of their hearts. I do not care nor do I believe being characterized in this manner is important. In the end it is the quality of the soul and truth in the singing that matter.

Q: Why aren't you performing now?
Sophia: I have not performed for the past several months as I lost the battle for the life of my beloved daughter to my soul, my kitty cat, who developed cancer from 9/11, we live 4 streets away. I frankly was too devastated.

Q: Where did you learn French and German?
Sophia: I learned French and German in my opera training.

Q: What do you like most about yourself?
Sophia: I like most about myself the ability to love animals.

Q: What do you notice first in people? Eyes, face? personality, talent, madness?
Sophia: I notice first in people their eyes.

Q: And what people notice first about you? What do you think?
Sophia: I presume people notice first my mass of black hair.

Q: You are big on wardrobe. Is it a part of your repertoire?
Sophia: Yes, my wardrobe is quite important, whether the mood calls for great simplicity or a rather glamorous gown.

Q: Are you going to conquer New York? What are you going to do?
Sophia: As to whether I am to conquer NY. I do not know how to answer this. What is important is to create and produce my art for the public.

Photo credits: Christine Cain Weidner Studio

The interview continues on the following pages.