Article Title

In Memoriam Rosalind Elias (1930 – 2020)

Authors

Keywords

Rosalind Elias, Metropolitan Opera, mezzo-soprano

Abstract

“The Metropolitan Opera mourns the death of one of our most beloved artists, mezzo-soprano Rosalind Elias, who sang 687 performances with the company over a period of 42 years. She made her Met debut in 1954 at just 23 years of age as Grimgerde in Die Walküre and initially sang supporting roles, but soon graduated to larger parts such as Siébel in Faust, Maddalena in Rigoletto, and Suzuki in Madama Butterfly. Then, in 1958, she was chosen to sing the leading role of Erika in the world premiere of Samuel Barber’s Vanessa. At her request, the composer added the aria “Must the Winter Come So Soon,” which is now a staple concert piece for mezzo-sopranos. It turned out to be a breakout role for her, and more major parts followed. She created another role by Barber eight years later when the world premiere of his Antony and Cleopatra opened the new Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, with Elias as Charmian.

Recommended Citation

(2020) "In Memoriam Rosalind Elias (1930 – 2020)," Newsletter of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK: Vol. 36: No. 1, Article 12.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jussibjorlingsocietynl/vol36/iss1/12