VIVICA AS ROSINA

It is a role Vivica Genaux has performed many times in her rising career to rave reviews. It was the vehicle of her surprise debut at the Metropolitan Opera on December 17, 1998. She sang the role for five performances altogether, including that aired live on the Texaco Metropolitan Opera Saturday Broadcast. This MET debut proved her mettle, as it happened under rather difficult circumstances. She was summoned by the MET on a late Monday evening to substitute for an ailing Vasselina Kasarova, the Bulgarian mezzo-soprano (who interestingly got her lucky break a few years ago by substituting for an indisposed Marilyn Horne at a Salzburg Festival concert) slated to make her MET debut as Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia the following Wednesday evening. No time for a full stage or orchestral rehearsal, all she got in the way of preparation was a production walk-through, some coaching by the music staff, and moral support from the rest of the cast. Enough to turn anyone’s legs into Jello! But not Vivica - she proved to be a real trouper and a professional. By all accounts her performance was memorable and impressive. And those who tuned in to her Texaco broadcast debut heard a delightfully spirited, confident Rosina and surely noticed the warm ovation she received from the audience. After this winning debut, this young mezzo’s star could not but rise even higher, as indeed it has!

Watch a video clip from her Dallas Opera performance:

Vivica sang Rosina at her debuts with the Metropolitan Opera, Opera National de France (Bastille), Wiener Staatsoper, Bayerische Staatsoper, Seattle and Washington Operas, among others. It has become a signature role and no doubt she will sing it for many more years to come.

(Click HERE for Vivica’s performance calendar.)