On November 5, 2019, the Embassy of Argentina presented an Opera Concert by Soprano Sara Fleming, Mezzosoprano Rocío Arbizu and pianist Carlos César Rodríguez. The presentation consisted of two duets for soprano and mezzosoprano, “Barcarolle” from “The Contes d'Hoffmann” an opéra fantastique by Jacques Offenbach and “Look, o Norma” from Vincenzo Bellini's famous Bel Canto opera “Norma”.

The artists also performed well known arias for Mezzosoprano, “Una voce poco fa”, “Va! laisse couler mes larmes” and “La Habanera”, as well as famous soprano arias such as “L'altra Notte in fondo al Mare” and “Pace, Pace mio Dio”, both from the Verismo style of singing.

The program included also a piano solo piece, “Malambo”, composed by Argentine musician Alberto Ginastera, and finished with a wonderful song from the beloved and charming film, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Somewhere over the rainbow”.

About the artists
Rocío Arbizu (mezzosoprano)
Born in the city of Santo Tome, Santa Fe. She began her studies in the Choir of Children and Adolescents of that city, which she integrated for 12 years. She was a fellow of the Chamber Music Foundation of Buenos Aires directed by Maestro Ángel Opitz. She is a graduate of the Art Institute of the Teatro Colón, the Master's Degree of said Institution and the Opera Studio of the Argentine Theater of La Plata, where she is currently part of the Stable Choir.

In 1995, she was the winner of the silver medal as an outstanding student of her hometown, the Jeannette Árata de Erize grant from the Mozarteum Argentino, The First Prize for Excellence in the City of Santa Fe, the National Endowment for the Arts grant, the Contest Scala de San Telmo in the City of Buenos Aires, the Alejandro Cordero Contest at the Teatro Colón and participated in the Bilbao International Singing Contest (Spain)

Sara Fleming
Argentine soprano Sara Fleming began her voice studies in Buenos Aires with some of the best vocal technique and repertoire coaches there. She atended Master Classes with Teresa Berganza and acclaimed argentine tenor Luis Lima is currently her mentor. She also trained as an actress with Norman Briski, famous argentine actor, as acting is a very important part of Miss Fleming’s performance as a Singer.

Currently, she is being coached by Mtro. Anthony Manoli in New York. Miss Fleming performs extensively in recitals in Buenos Aires, New York, Lima and Punta del Este, Uruguay. She also has an important sacred music repertoire which has led her to sing in parishes and cathedrals mainly in Argentina. Amongst her theatrical apperances she has sung in productions of Verdi’s La Traviata, Rossini’s Semiramide and Bellini’s Norma. In 2020 she is expected to make her debut in Chicago and Medellin.

Carlos César Rodríguez
Acclaimed by the Washington Post as “powerful…virtuoso…masterful pianist”, Carlos César Rodríguez has recorded for Omicron and Brioso labels and has won the highest critical acclaim for his CD “España en el corazón”, distributed by Brioso Recordings. 

As concert-pianist Rodríguez made his debut in his native Venezuela at age 5, made his orchestral debut as soloist at age 11, and at age 21 he made his Carnegie Hall debut. As concert-artist he has toured Europe and performed concerts and solo recitals throughout the Americas. Venues in which Mr. Rodríguez has performed include the John F. Kennedy Center, the White House, the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, Carnegie Hall, the Americas Society, in New York; and the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.

He has been guest artist with the Garth Newell Chamber Music Festival and is a frequent guest artist of the National Chamber Ensemble. As collaborative artist he has worked with Denyce Graves, Jessye Norman and Plácido Domingo.

In 2005 he was chosen as award recipient of the prestigious Georg Solti Foundation US fellowship for outstanding young conductors. He is music director/conductor of Zarzuela Productions and of Spanish operas in the USA and the Americas. 

He is also the Music Director for WORD Dance Theatre, and will appear with them at the Kennedy Center’s REACH in March for the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage. Recently he toured as pianist in Poland and Italy with The Isadora Duncan International Institute and will perform with them again in NYC and Montreal in November 2019.  He continues to teach at the Selma M. Levine School of Music in Washington, DC.