Classical and Jazz: Preview - Mezzo-soprano Christine Rice at Royal Opera House
Published: 16 December, 2010
by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
MEZZO-soprano Christine Rice takes to the Royal Opera House stage to sing the role of Hansel next Thursday in Humperdinck’s opera Hansel and Gretel barely six months since taking on the very different role of Carmen on the same stage.
Hansel, of course, is a small boy in a fairytale while she’s a wife and mother of three on the cusp of reaching 40.
“I’m having a lot of fun with Hansel although I’m coming home with bruises from all the pillow fights,” she said during a break in ROH rehearsals.
“Carmen has been the highlight of my season so far. It’s one of those parts where you never get to the end, to the full stop.
“There’s so much in her – she’s like a sandcastle, you build her differently every time.”
Singing the role of Gretel in the ROH production is Irish soprano Ailish Tynan.