Rosina Fabius
As winner of the Toonkunst Oratorio Prize of the International Vocal Competition Rosina Fabius, a Dutch-English mezzo-soprano is established as a versatile artist known for her expressive interpretations, clear diction, warm natural voice and memorable presence. She is regularly invited to perform as soloist with ensembles such as the Apollo Ensemble, B’Rock Orchestra (BE), and The London Octave (UK), and is widely recognised for her interpretations of the works of J.S. Bach. Highlights include both the Matthew Passion and the St. John’s passion at the International Bach Festival Gran Canaria (ESP), a solo recital at the Viva Bach Festival (PT) and Bach arias with Iván Fischer and the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century.
Song and Chamber Music
Beside her solo performances Rosina nurtures a deep love of story-telling through intimate song recitals and chamber music concerts. During her vocal studies in Utrecht and Vienna she participated in masterclasses with Elly Ameling, Christa Ludwig and Robert Holl at the Franz Schubert Institute in Austria. Rosina embraces a wide repertoire of Romantic and contemporary compositions including notable chamber arrangements of Das Lied von der Erde by Gustav Mahler and Chanson de Roland by Jeanne Demessieux. As soloist and ensemble singer Rosina gave recitals at the International Lied Festival Zeist.
She recently recorded Brahms’ Zwei Gesänge together with her regular pianist Kanako Inoue and her mother, violist Prunella Pacey (available on Spotify).
Rosina frequently collaborates in contemporary chamber music projects with ensembles such as ARTO and Rietveld. These projects include world premieres of works by Thomas Oboe Lee (USA) and Willem Wander van Nieuwkerk (NL) as well as her own arrangements.
Opera
Rosina is internationally active as opera singer. She has performed in operas by Monteverdi, Mozart, Haydn and Händel in productions with Holland Opera, Opera Nijetrijne and “Les Talens Lyriques” directed by baroque specialist Christophe Rousset. Rosina also regularly appears in staged performances of Bach’s St Matthew and St John Passions, as well as Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater.
Artistic Collaborations
Rosina’s versatility is reflected in many unusual creative collaborations. With the Utrechts Requiem Foundation she takes part in concerts that bring to life the personal stories of local residents through intimate, contemporary compositions.
In Your Hands is another extraordinary ongoing production launched with glowing reviews at the Dordrecht Bach Festival of 2024. This production which will go on tour in 2026 combines circus (Tall Tales Company) with the music of St. John Passion (B’Rock Orchestra) and demands many extra performing skills from Rosina and the other singers.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rosina joined forces with trumpeter and street-organ player Reinier Sijpkens to perform a shortened version of Bach’s St Matthew Passion from the music boat De Notendop, touring the Dutch canals to bring comfort and hope in a time of silence and isolation.