When did you realize you wanted to make singing a career?
I always wanted to be a soloist. While I was studying English Literature in Edinburgh, I studied singing on the side and managed to clinch a place at the Royal Academy of Music. I realized that maybe I had a chance to make this dream come true.

How does your background in literature help in your current job?
It has allowed me to really delve into the psyche of the character and interpretation of the pieces I am performing. My teacher always says, “It is your job to make the words intelligible, the composer could have easily given that line to a cello but he didn’t!”

Do you listen to classical songs at home?
Yes, sopranos and mezzo-sopranos mainly—not tenors. But my secret pleasures are the tracks that the gym instructors play at my Bodycombat class: a combination of pop, rock and R&B.

What do you miss most about Singapore when you’re abroad?
Food is high on the list. Other than that, my family and friends, but now that I am back, I miss my surrogate families and good friends in Edinburgh, London and Belgium.

Have you ever used your singing talents to impress a romantic interest?
I have to demonstrate sometimes when new friends or dates don’t believe I’m a professional opera singer. Singing is an incredibly physical and virile action. When I sing a high note, it feels like I’m revving up a luxury Italian sportscar: power with control.

Melvin Tan will perform on June 9 at Singapore Lyric Opera: Opera in the Park 2012 at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.