Dolora zajick biography of barack
When it comes to operatic staying power, look no further than star mezzo soprano Dolora Zajick. Critics have dubbed her "a powerhouse" because her voice is big, rich, and luscious throughout all the vocal registers and she's also a singer who can act. In fact, I was blown away two years ago when I heard her sing a riveting Adalgisa in Washington National Opera's Norma. And now she's returned to D.C. for a role debut as Madame de Croissy, the ailing prioress, in Poulenc's Dialogues of the Carmelites, set during the Reign of Terror.
At age 62, Dolora Zajick remains the most sought-after dramatic mezzo in the world, but when I spoke with her by phone last week, she was frank, funny, and down to earth as she described Francesca Zambello's new English-language production which opens this weekend. Zajick is booked most of the year, but when she's not performing she's goes home to Reno, Nevada, where she paints, studies bird behavior, and sings the Divine Office with the Carmelite Sisters of Reno--a bit of serendipity for her current engagement.
Zajick's calling card is her portrayal of Verdi seconda donnas. After graduating from San Francisco Opera's prestigious Merola Program in , she essayed a few small roles before making her San Francisco debut as the anguished Azucena in Il Trovatore. She made her Met debut in the same role two years later, eliciting praise from the New York Times: "Her assumption of Azucena was distinguished by certain details of craftsmanship that have long been rare in Verdian mezzo parts. She commanded the range of the role easily, from the strong chest notes at the bottom to the high C, which is usually left out but which Miss Zajick hit square on with no apparent effort." As her career evolved she won acclaim for Amneris in Aida, Eboli in Don Carlo, Ulrica in Un Ballo in Maschera, which she'll do at the Met in April, and Azucena, which she'll reprise at the Met this September.
Below is a shortened version of our fre
Interview: Dolora Zajick of INSTITUTE FOR YOUNG DRAMATIC VOICES at University Of Nevada, Reno
American mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick is one of the world's leading exponents of the dramatic Verdi repertoire. Her talent was first noticed when she was a pre-med student at the University of Nevada in Reno. Some years after that, she debuted with the San Francisco Opera as Azucena in IL TROVATORE, and it brought her international stardom. Decades later, she is best known for her interpretations of Amneris in AIDA, Eboli in DON CARLO, Ulrica in UN BALLO IN MASCHERA, Ježibaba in Dvo?ák's RUSALKA, and Adalgisa in Bellini's NORMA.
MN: I understand you have just finished singing the important role of the Mother in Francesco Cilea's L'ARLESIANA at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin. What is that opera about?
DZ: I sang the role of Mamma Rosa. She's a controlling Italian Mamma with two sons. One is developmentally delayed, and the other is unstable. She favors Federico, the unstable one, who sings the famous tenor aria, "E la solita storia del pastore" often called "Federico's Lament," in Act I. He falls in love with an unfaithful woman and his mother tries everything to manipulate and change the course of events.
At one point her slow son, called L'Innocente, almost falls from a second story window. At that point L'Innocente seems to gain a wise maturity and stability despite his mental limitations. For the first time she sees this and realizes that she has neglected her second son. She then begins to appreciate him more. Later, she sings her aria, "Esser madre é un inferno" "(To be a mother is Hellfire)." Despite Mamma Rosa's desperate attempts to save him, when the older son loses the woman he loves, he jumps out of the second story window.
Written at the turn of the 20th century, Cilea's music is ultra romantic. Paolo Arrivabene conducted the Berlin perf Born in Salem, Oreg., but raised in Nevada, Delora has attained a stellar career at the international level in opera. She is known, worldwide, for her dramatic mezzo-soprano voice. After receiving both undergraduate and master’s degrees from UNR, Dolora went on to attend the Manhattan School of Music. In she won the Bronze Medal at the 7th International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. I Jane was born in New York City where, in , she married William Moon. A member of the armed forces at that time, he was soon transferred to San Francisco, Cal. Their children were born in San Francisco. William, became a manager of Schwabacher Fray in and was transferred to Reno, Nev. Jane joined local organizations such as the Reno-Sparks NAACP, Eastern Star, Reno Soroptimists, and t Diane, an early activist in the domestic violence movement, says she has always been involved in human issues. She was born in Montana but came to Nevada in when husband, Keith was hired as the UNR wrestling and assistant football coach. She has been a driving force behind the enactment of much Nevada legislation concerning domestic violence and other women’s and social issues. Diane was a f Carolyn Bernard was born in Yerington and is proud of her 4th generation Nevada Heritage. As a stay at home mom until her children were of school age, Carolyn said that her first real job outside the home, was volunteering to help her uncle, Wilson McGowan, in his successful campaign to become Nevada State Controller. She then became increasingly active in community organizations. She w Isabelle is a California native who has enjoyed a fascinating career. From to , Isabelle served as Senior Advisor to President Bill Clinton directing details associated with domestic and international event, activities, travel, and protocol for both the President and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. She produced San Francisco Opera Center Announces Adler Fellows San Francisco Opera Center Announces The Adler Fellows Philip Glass's AKHNATEN, Verdi's IL TROVATORE & More Set for The Met Live in HD Summer Encores Opera Awards Foundation Announces Bursary Recipients LA Opera Names Jeremy Frank As Chorus Director Opera San José Names Semi-Finalists for Irene Dalis Vocal Competition The Metropolitan Opera's Free Summer HD Festival to Return to Lincoln Center
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News
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 16,
The San Francisco Opera Center has announced the Adler Fellows, highlighting emerging artists in opera.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 5,
San Francisco Opera Center Artistic Director Carrie-Ann Matheson and General Manager Markus Beam announced today the 11 recipients of the San Francisco Opera Adler Fellowship.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 2,
Beginning Wednesday, July 26, the Metropolitan Opera will present Summer Encores of past performances from its acclaimed Live in HD series of cinema presentations.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 6,
The Opera Awards Foundation has announced its latest bursary recipients. Established by Harry Hyman in to help aspiring young artists reach their professional potential, the Opera Awards Foundation is marking its 10th anniversary with increased giving as it responds to the numerous challenges faced by those establishing their careers in opera.
by A.A. Cristi - May 5,
LA Opera has appointed Jeremy Frank as the company's new Chorus Director, beginning in the /23 season.
by Marissa Tomeo - Apr 9,
This May, Opera San José will play host to the nation’s next generation of opera stars during its Irene Dalis Vocal Competition, named for the internationally-acclaimed mezzo-soprano who founded Opera San José.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 12,
The Met’s popular Summer HD Festival returns on Saturday, August 28, featuring a lineup of ten free encore pre