ICELAND
- How did you get your first role as Pocahontas?
I had just done the role of Maria in "Jesus Christ Superstar" and they heard of me and offered me an audition for Pocahontas.
The recording session went well and it didn‘t take a long time. But in those days, it probably took a bit more time than if it was done today.
The recording session went well and it didn‘t take a long time. But in those days, it probably took a bit more time than if it was done today.
- Was it hard singing the famous songs of the movie? What do you think of the Icelandic lyrics?
It was not difficult but it was a bit of a challenge nevertheless since Disney had such preferences regarding voice-type, phrasing etc.
I think, since they were often trying to imitate the sounds of the English language, the translation was sometimes a bit strange. But I think I have gotten used to it and today I like it.
My favorite lines are :
I think, since they were often trying to imitate the sounds of the English language, the translation was sometimes a bit strange. But I think I have gotten used to it and today I like it.
My favorite lines are :
- "En sérhver vera sérhvert tré og klettur, á sér líf , á sér anda, á sér nafn" | "But I know every rock & tree & creature, has a life, has a spririt, has a name"
- "Eða bíður enn, maður minna drauma, lengra út með fljótinu" | "Or do you still wait for me, dream giver, just around the river bend ?"
- In 1998, you voiced Ariel in The Little Mermaid, you did you get that iconic role?
There were a few who auditioned as usual but Disney chose my voice. It went really well.
- What are your thoughts about the Icelandic translation of "Part of your World"?
At first I found the song a bit strange but when I started rehearsing it I started to like it. It was not hard to sing but challenging acting-wise, just like Pocahontas. Back then I had a few suggestions [about the lyrics] :) I can‘t remember if maybe some of them went through. Sometimes the one who translates doesn‘t think about how it is to sing a certain phrase and then the singer can suggest a change which is sometimes accepted.
- "Upp alla leið , þar er mín þrá , þangað sem sólin skín alla á" | "Up where they walk, up where they run, up where they stay all day in the sun"
- The same year, you dubbed a small role as Angelique in Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas. How did you get that role?
They remembered me from The Little Mermaid and offered me the role. I enjoyed the movie. And it was a bit hard speaking with a French accent but fortunately I speak a little French so that helped.
- 1998 was a big year for you, as you also did the singing voice of Mulan. How did you get that role?
I auditioned, and at first I didn‘t get the role. And they auditioned many more but they didn‘t find the right singing voice. Then the Disney people remembered Angelique and asked if the one who did that could do Mulan. So they called me and I auditioned again which was quite funny. And then I got the role.
The song "Reflection" was a bit difficult, not vocally but rather trying to get the exact character in the voice they were looking for. They were quite particular with that song. I think the lyrics are fine but I like better the lyrics for Pocahontas and The Little Mermaid.
The song "Reflection" was a bit difficult, not vocally but rather trying to get the exact character in the voice they were looking for. They were quite particular with that song. I think the lyrics are fine but I like better the lyrics for Pocahontas and The Little Mermaid.
- Looking back, do you see the role as Mulan differently since you were only the singing voice?
Yes a little bit. It is always better to do the speaking voice as well since it helps with getting the character right in the song. It would have been fun to do it, but I think Edda (Björg Eyjólfsdóttir, the speaking voice, ed) does it marvelously.
- In 2014 you sung "A Whole New World" in the Icelandic concert "Lög úr teiknimyndum" with Felix Bergsson (original Icelandic voice of Aladdin). Were you nervous to succeed to Edda Heiðrún Backman (RIP)?
I sung many Disney songs in the concert „Lögin úr teiknimyndunum“ with Felix and Þór Breiðfjörð but I particularly like this song. Edda did it really well so I tried to put my mark on it and do it my way instead of trying to imitate her. I also sung this song with Felix in a Disney concert in Harpa Concert Hall with the Icelandic Sinfonic Orchestra.
I also sang Let It Go and liked it very much. I would have loved dubbing the character.
I also sang Let It Go and liked it very much. I would have loved dubbing the character.
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- Of all the roles you have dubbed, what was the most challenging for you? And which one was your favourite?
The first one, Pocahontas, since I was young and it was all so new for me.
The Little Mermaid was my favourite. I loved the story by H.C. Andersen that I read when I was seven years-old and wept alot over. But the Disney version ended well which was good.
The Little Mermaid was my favourite. I loved the story by H.C. Andersen that I read when I was seven years-old and wept alot over. But the Disney version ended well which was good.
- Have you ever auditioned for any roles you didn't get?
Yes I auditioned for Belle in Beauty and the Beast (dubbed in 2002, ed). But they had used my voice a lot and they were apparently trying not to use the same voices again and again.
- Of the three Princesses you dubbed, which one would you say reflects the most your personality?
They all do in different ways. Pocahontas and I love being in the nature; Ariel is adventurous like me and Mulan has a strong feeling of righteousness.
- Today, you have a huge fanbase worldwide for your roles, did you expect it when you got those roles back in the 90s? What changed for you after that?
No I did not expect it! And it has opened doors. I‘ve had a lot to do as a singer in Iceland. It was a good experience and useful in many ways. A few times, some people recognize me for this.
- What role you wish you had dubbed?
Cinderella. I love the fairytale and the song "A dream is a wish your heart makes" is a very lovely song.
- What are you doing nowadays?
My job is very diverse. I work as a singer, both in musicals in the theatres (Fantine in Les Mis in the National theatre 2012, Maria in Sound of Music in City theatre 2009 e.g.) and as an opera singer in the Icelandic Opera (Il Barbiere di Siviglia 2015, Carmen 2013 and more.) I regularly sing in concerts in Iceland (e.g. a big Opera concert in Harpa in December 2016, singing the role of the Völva with symphonic orchestra and choir in Færeyjar in 2017 and a soloist with the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra in January 2018 to name a few ). I teach in the musical department of the Singing school „Söngskóli Sigurðar Demetz“. I do commercials and conduct parties and meetings. I work in fact as a singer/performer/actor/teacher.
Interview by Agust Ingi Aðalheiðarson
February 1, 2018
February 1, 2018
