La Cieca is of the opinion that there are some sopranos who can act Manon, some who can sing Manon, and some who simply are Manon. This snippet from a recent interview may suggest which category Anna Netrebko fits into. 

[Interviewer] TS: Can you just explain what this World Economic Forum thing is?

AN: What?

TS: You’re an ambassador –

AN: I don’t know. They told me something, so I said, ‘Thank you, it’s great.’ I think it’s a great honour.

TS: But you don’t know what it is?

AN: I don’t even know what I have to do.

TS: I think there’s a conference in Dar es Salaam you have to go to.

AN: Me? Oh – I had no idea. Wow. I don’t know.

[pause]

TS: Is that a Chopard watch?

AN: Yes. These are diamonds that are sparkling. Chopard is beautiful, they make in such a beautiful style, but the jewellery I’m going to wear in Manon is not Chopard.