Mezzo-soprano Elena Zilio (above) made her operatic debut in 1963 and went on to sing dozens of roles – everything from Cherubino to Dame Quickly – throughout the world.
One of my favorite Zilio souvenirs is her passionate singing of Suzuki, Madama Butterfly’s faithful servant who, in this trio, foresees the story’s tragic ending:
BUTTERFLY scene Zilio P Dvorsky Stilwell Chicago 1985
Here she sings the aria of a distraught mother, Rosa Mamai, from Cilea’s L’ARLESIANA:
Elena Zilio – Esser madre e un inferno ~ L`Arlesiana
More recently, Elena Zilio has carved out a lovely niche for herself in character roles.
Earlier this year, Ms. Zilio had a personal triumph as Mamma Lucia in CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA at Covent Garden. In 2019, she alternates that role and Madelon in ANDREA CHENIER in performances at Firenze, Naples, London, and Munich.
~ Oberon
Oberon's Glade 