Soprano Camille Zamora loves singing the role of Despina in “Cosi fan tutte” for its pure, honest and open vocal lines. She said she is particularly excited about being part of the Virginia Opera production coming to GMU’s Center for the Arts for its humor, romance and musical elements. “Attending this opera is the perfect romantic date night,” she said. “I sang this role with Glimmerglass Opera and although Mozart’s music and story are always the same, each production has a different interpretation. This cast is wonderful and Joe Walsh in the pit is one of the most inspiring conductors I’ve worked with. He’s a visionary who really understands the voice. The story is a little far-fetched, but the director, Lillian Groag, gives it a human and modern touch.
“I adore playing Despina because she is a spicy character living in the Age of Enlightenment, a period that points toward the revolutions about to break out in Europe. Even though she is a servant, she has quicksilver intelligence that enables her to carry out her pranks.”
Zamora’s repertoire encompasses opera, recital and concert. She has appeared in this country and abroad with the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Radio, Deutsche Radio, National Public Radio and with Sting at Lincoln Center. Her opera roles range from early 17th century as Poppea in Montverde’s “L’Incoronazione di Poppea” to the 1950s as the governess in Benjamin Britten’s “The Turn of the Screw,” Blanche in Poulenc’s “Dialogue of the Carmelites” and the title role in Carlisle Floyd’s “Susannah.”
| IF YOU GO |
| Virginia Opera performs ‘Cosi fan tutte’ |
| » Where: /b>George Mason University Center for the Arts |
| » When: 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Sunday |
| » Info: $44 to $86; 888-945-2468; gmu.edu/cfa |
Zamora plays no favorites. She loves all Mozart heroines and is a big fan of Handel. Britten’s governess ranks high in her estimation because she loves the complexity of the story. But few opera singers can match her flair for the zarzuela (Spanish opera).
Growing up in Mexico City, she immediately gravitated to the zarzuela and today is regarded as a champion of the genre. She sang the role of Rosita with Placido Domingo in “Luisa Fernanda” at Los Angeles Opera and has performed and recorded many principal zarzuela roles. Her latest CD, “Tienes Mi Corazon: Music of Graciano Tarrago,” is due out in 2011.
“Opera singers are like little gypsies because we’re eternally auditioning,” she said. “That’s how I met Domingo. He is so kind and a dream colleague who elevates your performance. I owe all my success to the people I’ve met along the way. When I moved to New York from Texas, I accidentally met Frances Wilson who saw in me as a diamond in the rough and taught me every day for free. Her training helped me get into Juilliard.”
While at Juilliard, Zamora and her best friend founded the Sing for Hope charity, which sends professional artists to perform voluntarily in various communities. She firmly believes that all children need a musical outlet to express themselves and is grateful to opera singers like Nathan Gunn who offer her charity strong support. Her work has been recognized with a 2010 United Nations World Harmony Run Torch-Bearer Award and CNN where she was featured as one of the Most Intriguing People in 2010.
Reiterating her love of opera, she promises, “I believe everyone attending ‘Cosi fan tutte’ will discover something magic about opera as a live art form by feeling the connection and refreshment of spirited voices and playful antics on stage.”
