Mirusia Louwerse, Songbird

Mirusia Louwerse has been dubbed as “Australia’s Songbird”, and has traveled the world. Having had an incredibly varied career between Classical Music, as Andre Rieu’s own “Australian Angel” and recording artist, Mirusia has established herself as one of the most successful Australian artists in the classical crossover world today. She recently joined our new contributor and crossover artist Paul Tabone about her journey so far.

Paul Ettore Tabone: You are known as ‘Australia’s Songbird” Tell our readers a little bit about the special moments of your childhood?

Mirusia: How honoured I am to have such a title! I have always sung since I was a child. I just love to sing and I sing every single day. My childhood was filled with music and nature. I grew up in the Australian bush and loved all the flora and fauna. I loved discovering flowers hidden in the garden and spying on koalas and other wildlife in the trees. 

In fact, one of the things I really noticed after coming back from overseas every time, was the birdsong that I would hear all around me. So many different birds all singing all around me. I love it. So being called Australia’s Songbird? Well, I guess it was just meant to be!

Paul Ettore Tabone: If there is a well-known singer that you have drawn inspiration from, who was it, and why was it so important in your development as an artist?

Mirusia: Hands down: Sarah Brightman. What a trailblazer in Classical Crossover music. I love literally every song she has recorded ever. I was sooooo inspired by her show La Luna. I watched it over and over again. She was my big idol as a late teen when I first discovered her music. I also very much enjoy Andrea Bocelli and Alessandro Safina. They all played a massive part in my career. And of course, we cannot forget the maestro himself, André Rieu, who took me under his wing and taught me everything I know. 

Paul Ettore Tabone: You were the “go-to” soprano for André Rieu in his internationally performed and televised concerts. How was that experience for you? Can you tell us how you kept the role fresh and your vocal health intact?

Mirusia: I toured with André full time for a decade, on average 130 concerts a year, studio recordings and behind the scenes filming and lots and lots of international travel. Most generally we debut the new concert program for the year in the summer. This program is then the general structure for a whole year, with a few subtractions and additions depending on the countries we travel to. But as soloists, the songs we sang would generally be the same for the entire year. So how do you keep them fresh night after night? For me, it was the realisation that the audience are seeing the show for the first time, although for us it might be the 88th time we perform it. So thinking about them, their anticipation and excitement at being there really helped me. Vocal health is crucial and on tour, you can find me sleeping all the time. In the bus, hotel, even in the venue on a couch. Always sleeping to rest the voice. And WATER. Hydration. Steaming daily with chamomile tea is my thing after a recommendation from a Doctor specialising in medicine from the tropics. I also have a portable nebulizer which I love. And just being sensible. I live for my craft really – it’s not all fun and games!

Paul Ettore Tabone: What is the proudest moment of your life so far and why?

Mirusia: I am proud of the fact that I am a touring artist, a mum, and a wife and I try to balance my work/life balance as much as I can. I love socialising and being with my friends and family but I also love singing and touring and being on stage. I also love being in the recording studio. 

Paul Ettore Tabone: How did you end up working in such an incredible production?

Mirusia: When I was 21, I won the Dame Joan Sutherland Opera Award here in Australia. When I won, the judges told me to use the prize money to further my career and make smart choices. I used some of the prize money to record an EP of songs I loved singing. Little did I know that my Aunt in The Netherlands wrote an email to André Rieu and sent him my EP! Next minute he called me at home and invited me to tour the world with him. A month later I was in Boston, USA making my debut with André and the rest is history!

Paul Ettore Tabone: Do you have any career aspirations? How does it feel to be back in Australia?

Mirusia: There is just so much I still want to do. This year I am so looking forward to touring my autobiographical concert program “Songbird” which covers a lot about how I started out as a wannabe country singer, to finding my true voice in Classical/Crossover music. Being back in Australia has been a true blessing at this point in time and I have been so fortunate to have released 2 albums and a DVD during a global pandemic! 

Paul Ettore Tabone: Can you tell us a bit about your new album “Song Bird” and what it means to you? What is your favorite track and why?

Mirusia: Songbird, is in a way, a look back on my career so far. Where I started, stories about my life and the different styles of music I love to sing – through music. I really enjoyed recording this album and it has been in the making now for two years. Denis Walter (well known Melbourne Radio Announcer and singer) dubbed me “Australia’s Songbird” and it got my manager, Robert Rigby, and I thinking about all the lovely songs I have sung over my many years of being a performer – and even before that time when I was just a kid growing up in Australia but loved singing. As a Classical Crossover artist, we tend to sing many different genres and I actually started out in Country Music, but it just didn’t sit right in my voice. However, on Songbird I have recorded a Classical Crossover Country version of Dolly Parton’s well-known hit “Jolene”, and so far the feedback about this recording has been astonishing. I am so proud of all the songs, they are all a part of my musical soundtrack, as are all the artists on the album. 

Paul Ettore Tabone: Are you drawn to certain character types of music?

Mirusia: I love ballads and “Sad songs”, somehow they just sit so well in my voice and I seem to be able to emote them so well. Which is odd really, since I am alway rather happy and love joking around. Perhaps it is a case of “opposites attract”. 

Paul Ettore Tabone: Given your resume, classical crossover is a perfect fit. What are some of the things you would like to accomplish with your music career?

Mirusia: My Name “Mirusia” means “bringing happiness to others” so I do this through music. If I can make just one person happy in an audience, then my job there is done. Music has such power, it is so integral in our lives. I just want to make sure that I can spread as much happiness as I can, and then pass it on to the next generation. I love helping developing artists and often have young singers with me on the road who form part of my backing vocalists. It is a wonderful way to teach stagecraft and give opportunities to the younger generation of singers, particularly those who for the last two years have had little to no exposure at all. 

Mirusia: Paul Ettore Tabone: You look gorgeous, and sound like an angel. Do you have any aspirations to perform in Opera or Musical Theatre?

I have had the great pleasure of performing in Operas and Musicals over the years, but right now my heart lies in concert touring. I just love speaking to the audience and telling stories and having a good laugh. I have really found a passion for concert touring with my own musicians and hope to be able to do this for a long time. As for musicals and operas – being part of a cast and creating something magical from the pages of a libretto, from page to stage, is just so satisfying as well. Let’s just say – I am always open for anything, as long as my heart is in it and I truly believe in the performance.

Mirusia’s Album “Songbird” has recently been released by Ambition Entertainment and has reached number 1 on the Australia Aria Charts. Stream now on Spotifty! 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mirusia (@mirusialouwerse)

www.mirusia.net

Purchase a physical copy of Vol 29 now!