Marius Olteanu, DISTINTO Founding Member: “Classical music should be brought closer to the public”

Marius Olteanu shares his journey from flutist to tenor, the challenges of an artistic career, the Distinto project, and how classical music can connect with modern audiences.

Fortunately, Marius Olteanu has never lost his passion for everything that MUSIC represents. He has also always paid close attention to details…they often make all the difference. He also enjoys experimenting with new things…who doesn’t?

C&B: How did your journey in music begin, and when did you realize that being a tenor was the path you wanted to follow?

Marius Olteanu: I started as a flutist in the 5th grade at the George Enescu High School of Arts in Bucharest.
Around the 12th grade, during choir classes, I realized that I had a stronger voice than my classmates, and little by little I found myself increasingly drawn to listening to great opera soloists. I explored lyrical music for quite some time until I finally decided to give up my career as a flutist and start all over again as a tenor.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?

Marius Olteanu: Exactly what I just mentioned…I gave up something I was certain about and set off on a completely unknown path, driven solely by passion.

C&B: Has there always been a dream or ambition that guided you, regardless of the obstacles?

Marius Olteanu: The dream of singing on stage.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you have changed over time?

Marius Olteanu: I had the same joy and enthusiasm for singing back then that I still have today. Perhaps I was more emotional at the beginning…but over time I have become much more comfortable on stage.

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?

Marius Olteanu: They would probably say that I am a fair and honest person.

C&B: What is the most important decision you have made, one that changed the course of your career?

Marius Olteanu: I believe the best decision was launching the “DISTINTO” project, Romania’s first Pop Opera group.

C&B: Distinto combines classical music with modern elements. How would you define this style, and how has the audience responded to this fusion?

Marius Olteanu: It is a niche genre, relatively new on the international market and, naturally, even newer here in Romania. It was born from the desire to open the doors of concert halls and make classical music more accessible to the general public. After our very first performance, the audience asked us, “Where have you been all this time?”

C&B: What did you aim to bring to the Romanian music scene through this project?

Marius Olteanu: I wanted it to become something completely natural for a pop song to be performed with opera voices, supported by modern orchestration.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and which moments of the day bring you the greatest satisfaction?

Marius Olteanu: A perfect day is one that ends with an evening concert…
Otherwise, an ordinary day starts with my family over a cup of coffee…continues with rehearsals, lessons with my students…some exercise later in the evening, and perhaps a short outing in the city.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them every day?

Marius Olteanu: Humility towards music, honesty with myself and with those around me, and relentless work to preserve and continuously improve my artistic level.

C&B: How was the Distinto project born, and what was the idea behind this musical concept?

Marius Olteanu: Mihai, Tavi, and I were classmates at the conservatory…the idea came up naturally while we were talking about the “Pavarotti & Friends” concerts…we wondered what it would be like if we created something similar ourselves.

C&B: How do you manage to preserve the authenticity of classical music while adapting it for a contemporary audience?

Marius Olteanu: Music is constantly evolving because the audience is evolving as well. Today’s audience is much more concerned about time…We try to catch people in the middle of their busy lives with the same classical themes, while challenging them through orchestral arrangements that differ from those traditionally heard in opera houses. If we manage to draw them into our world, then it means we have succeeded in remaining authentic through our music.

Marius Olteanu’s story proves that passion, courage, and perseverance can turn a dream into a successful career. From leaving behind the certainty of an established path to co-founding Distinto, the tenor continues to promote high-quality music and bring audiences closer to the world of opera.