INTERVIEW WITH MEZZO SOPRANO VIVICA GENAUX

photo by Christian Steiner

This time I propose with great verve the interview of the famous mezzo soprano VIVICA GENAUX. Although she was born in Alaska, a State with frigid and arctic weather during the most part of the year, her extraordinary lyric voice fires up the hearts of all who listens to her. She is one of the most notorious mezzo soprano in the world specialized in Classic and Baroque music. In 1994 she started off with Rossini opera "L'italiana in Algeri" playing impeccably the role of Isabella and later followed other very important roles of the same composer as Rosina in "Il barbiere di Siviglia" and Angelina in "La Cenerentola". Though she is an international celebrity, she is connected to Italy both for the roles she plays and because she actually lives in Motta di Livenza. During her career she has also received a lot of awards and merits like the prestigious ARIA Music Award in 1997.

photo by Christian Steiner

I: Vivica, you were born in the city of FAIRBANKS in ALASKA. In your opinion what is the best period to visit Alaska and what can you suggest to see in Fairbanks?

V: Fairbanks is beautiful year-round! Most people visit between June and August, but experiencing a Fairbanks winter can be an eye-opener; temperatures of -40° C are common around December and January, the sun skims the horizon for 3-4 hours and we have great views of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) during the long hours of darkness. Perhaps the only time I wouldn't recommend Fairbanks is during the first week of spring (in May) when all the winter snow melts and there's a lot of mud! However, it's beautiful then too because within about 3 days all the flowers are in bloom and the trees are bursting with bright green leaves. Nature moves fast there!

photo by Christian Steiner

Among my favourite things to see in Fairbanks are: the UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA MUSEUM OF THE NORTH, a wonderful collection of Alaska Native arts as well as representations of regional flora and fauna; the WORLD ICE ART CHAMPIONSHIPS held each year in February/March (check out pictures on their website http://www.icealaska.com/sculptures.html) and GOLDEN DAYS,  a week-long celebration in July of Fairbanks' history and spirit including the Golden Days Parade, and the Rubber Duckie Race on Chena River.

I: Vivica, are there some restaurants or pubs you suggest to eat in Fairbanks just to taste a particular dish from Alaska?

V: Salmon and halibut are the most common (and delicious!) Alaskan fish and can be found in most restaurants. King Crab is my absolute favourite and can be found at places like THE PUMP HOUSE (www.pumphouse.com), a beautiful restaurant situated on the banks of the Chena River.

photo by Christian Steiner

In the summer, I never miss at least one dinner at the Alaska Salmon Bake in PIONEER PARK (formerly Alaskaland). They used to have the best deep-fried halibut and all-you-can-eat salmon and prime-rib.

I: Vivica, actually you live and work in Italy. Do you like an italian city in particular?

V: I actually work only very infrequently in Italy, my repertoire in the past few years has been primarily Baroque, which has not yet made it's "renaissance" in Italy. I do sing often with Italian orchestras, most notably Fabio Biondi and Europa Galante, based out of Parma, but concerts are almost always held in France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Poland... everywhere!
Favorite places to visit in Italy include PORTOBUFFOLE' in the province of Treviso, a very small medieval town where salt used to be unloaded from barges pulled up from the Venetian laguna by buffaloes, and the house of Gaia de Camino (13th C, mentioned in Dante's Purgatory) can be visited. I also love AQUILEIA, in the province of Udine. The basilica, with structural roots as far back as the 2nd C. has some of the most beautiful and best preserved mosaics I've ever seen.

photo by Christian Steiner

I: Vivica, you travel a lot because of your job. Do you have a particular memory of a city or a state during your journeys?

V: I have always loved travelling and every country and city has things I look forward to seeing again. The Duomo or Dom in each city seems to be a special place for me and I almost always pay a visit to the Stephansdom in Vienna, the Basilica San Marco in Venice, the Duomos in Milan and Florence, the Munster in Basel... I love the architecture and the huge spaces. In the States I enjoy the fact that stores are always open, in Europe I enjoy the fact that fruits and vegetables are most often local and seasonal, in Japan I just love the energy and technology...every country has a different feel and taste.

photo by Christian Steiner

I: Vivica, you sing and play the main character of lot of Classic and Baroque operas. Do you like one in particular? Is there a role you haven't played yet but you wish to do?

V: I do particularly love singing Angelina in Rossini's "La Cenerentola", but I also like the variety of characters which my career has brought me. I like the "trouser roles" because of the more kinetic physical enery I get to use in singing them on stage, and some of the women I've played in the Baroque operas are stunningly noble, strong and what would today be considered "feminist" characters. There's always a lot to learn from each character I play.

To further information about mezzo soprano Vivica Genaux visit the following links:

www.vivicagenaux.com
www.fanfaire.com/genaux
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vivica-Genaux-Fan-Page/234347766582006