In an interview discussing his recent collaboration with opera soloist Raimonds Bramanis on Pietro Mascagni's 'Zemnieka gods' at the Latvian National Opera, director Aik Karapetjans emphasizes the importance of genuine emotions and character relationships in opera. He highlights how the verismo style, focused on real feelings, distinguishes itself from romanticism, which often centers around themes rather than the characters themselves. This approach requires singers to not only possess vocal talent but also to exhibit strong acting skills.

Karapetjans reflects on his previous experiences working with many of the singers, noting that his familiarity made it easier to engage in discussions about acting methods. He admits that normally he doesn't speak to singers as he would with actors, but the nature of this production necessitated a deeper exploration of their original interpretations and emotional connections to the characters. The integration of these elements is crucial in bringing the narratives of both Mascagni's work and Leoncavallo's 'Pagliacci' to life.

As these operas are performed side by side, Karapetjans' insights underscore the artistic depth of the performance, suggesting that audiences will find resonance with the characters' true feelings, making the experience relatable. His focus on the emotional landscape of opera serves to enhance the work, aiming to elevate the performance above mere entertainment to a shared emotional experience for both the performers and the audience.