Anna "La Magnifica"
About
Anna-Lisa Jakobsson Mezzo-Soprano
Anna-Lisa Jakobsson has more than 70 roles in her operatic repertoire performing in many countries of the world. She has performed, for example, the role of Carmen over 100 times in Scandinavia and Italy, performing in casts with Teresa Berganza, Agnes Balsa, Giuseppe Giacomini,Renato Bruson (Otello), and Leo Nucci (Il trovatore).
Anna-Lisa has a Masters Degree in Music from the Sibelius Academy University, Helsinki, Finland; and also possesses a Master of Arts from Abo Academy University, as well as Bachelor of Arts Degree. She studied two years at the Universitat der Kunste Berlin Germany with the famed Professor Dr. Herbert Brauer.
She has attended Master classes with
- Prof. Vera Rozsa London
- Prof. Gerhard Kahry Vienna
- Ms Patricia McCaffrey New York City
- and Ms Ruth Falcon New York City.
Anna-Lisa Jakobsson was a Principal Mezzo-Soprano with the Finnish National Opera in Helsinki for 25 years before her recent settlement in the USA.
Ms. Jakobsson's operatic repertoire includes a vast selection of all major Mezzo-roles: Azucena in Il trovatore, Amneris in Aida, Fricka ( the Deutche Oper Berlin-version staged by legendary late Prof Gotz Friedrich), Adelaide in Strauss' Arabella, Herodias in Strauss' Salome, Kabanicha in Janaceks' Kata Kabanova (conducted by Jiri Belohlavek), Marina in Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov, Mrs. Lovett in Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, Baba the Turk in Stravinski's The Rake's Progress, Suzuki in Puccini's Madame Butterfly, Contessa di Coigny in Giordano's Andrea Chenier (staged by Giancarlo del Monaco).
Her German Debut was as Auntie in Britten's Peter Grimes at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. In the USA her first performance was in the 1992 World Premiere of Kullervo, composed by Aulis Sallinen, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. In 2004 she sang in Poulenc's Dialogues des Carmelites at Palm Beach Opera, conducted by Julius Rudel. She returned to Palm Beach Opera the next year as the Mother in Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel. In 2009 she received rave reviews for her role of Die Amme in Richard Strauss' Die Frau ohne Schatten, noting not only her excellent singing, but also her acting.
Anna-Lisa Jakobsson has made major tours to Japan and South America.
She has been recorded by Finlandia Records, BIS, and Ondine, and has performed in a number of made for TV-operas... among others, for NHK Satellite Japan, singing the role of Gabriela Mistral in the opera of the same name by Keiko Fujiie. She has also been a frequent guest at the Savonlinna Opera Festival. Known as an excellent musician and actress, she has participated in numerous world-premieres of contemporary operas.
In 2011 Ms. Jakobsson received both the title of "Knight of the Finnish Lion" from the President of Finland in honor of her contribution to the Arts in Finland, and the Silver Medal of Honor from the Finnish Actors Guild for her outstanding stage craft.
In 2011 Ms. Jakobsson received both the title of "Knight of the Finnish Lion" from the President of Finland in honor of her contribution to the Arts in Finland, and the Silver Medal of Honor from the Finnish Actors Guild for her outstanding stage craft.
Testimonials:
the witch Jezibaba-a sinister pantomime-like character was sung brilliantly by Anna-Lisa Jakobsson
--Louisa Gairn, Helsinki Times
The Nurse, Anna-Lisa Jakobsson, was particularly impressive
--Louisa Gairn, Helsinki Times
I love what I do, and always give my best to the students. I am fluent in languages, I can help with Art Songs, opera roles, Musical roles, auditions...I am a skilled dancer, and have experience with playing the castagnettes, through my singing the title role in Carmen 100 times. I have about 17 years of experience as a voice teacher, and have taught all ages and skill sets. Come as you are - one of my specialties is breathing, support and relaxation. Please don't hesitate to contact me.