Local opera singer stars in adaptation of 'Merry Wives'

Posted 6/13/16

Maja Lisa FritzHuspen, an outstanding mezzo-soprano formerly of Mt. Airy and now of Glenside, will be performing with The Delaware Valley Opera Company in three performances of “The Merry Wives of …

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Local opera singer stars in adaptation of 'Merry Wives'

Posted
Maja Lisa FritzHuspen, an outstanding mezzo-soprano formerly of Mt. Airy and now of Glenside, will be performing with The Delaware Valley Opera Company in three performances of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” in Manayunk on June 10, 15 and 18. Maja Lisa FritzHuspen, an outstanding mezzo-soprano formerly of Mt. Airy and now of Glenside, will be performing with The Delaware Valley Opera Company in three performances of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” in Manayunk on June 10, 15 and 18.[/caption]

by Len Lear

Maja Lisa FritzHuspen, 34, is a mesmerizing opera singer and voice teacher, formerly of Mt. Airy and now a Glenside resident, with a gorgeous voice and rich, mellifluous tone. The mezzo-soprano has a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance and Master of Fine Arts from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Augsburg College (Minneapolis). She teaches voice in her home studio and at Muhlenberg College in Allentown.

Maja Lisa will be performing with The Delaware Valley Opera Company in three performances of the comic opera, “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” adapted from Shakespeare's play. The performances are in English at the Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center, 7 Lock St. in Manayunk, on Friday, June 10; Wednesday, June 15, and Saturday, June 18, all at 8 p.m.

We conducted the following interview with Maja Lisa last week:

Your name is most unusual. Is it German or Austrian?

My name has an interesting history. Maja Lisa is a family name from Sweden, five generations back, a grandmother. My last name is a combination of my parents' two last names. Fritz is German and Huspen is Slovak, so it became FritzHuspen.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota, and after undergrad and grad schools, I moved to Philadelphia nine years ago.

Was either of your parents a musician?

My parents are not very musical except my dad did play guitar and sang in church.

When and how did you happen to get interested in opera?

I started college as a music therapy major and was taking voice lessons and all the voice major classes. My teacher assigned me an aria, and I fell in love with singing it! The repertoire felt so good in my voice and felt like what I should be singing. I started going to opera performances and loved the fact that opera encompassed all the art forms on stage. In my first semester two influential teachers encouraged me to switch to the vocal performance major, and I am so glad I did.

Since you went to college in Iowa and Minneapolis, how did you wind up in Philadelphia?

When I finished college, I knew I wanted to live in a big city. Philadelphia was close to NYC and easy to get to other areas of the East Coast, so I packed up and moved to Philly. All the major opera auditions happen in NYC, so it was easy for me to audition and even perform in NYC. I originally thought I would move to NYC after a few years, but I like having Philly as a home base. I am able to be a full-time musician here.

How did you happen to wind up singing in Russia, Finland, Estonia and Paris?

I have been able to travel as a part of my musical career. One tour was a part of a choir to Russia, Finland and Estonia. We sang in many historic places. It was such a wonderful experience.

Do you still take voice lessons? If so, with whom?

I do take voice lessons. I think it is important to continue to work and improve. I study with Richard Johnson.

How many years have you lived in Glenside?

I actually lived in Mt Airy until two months ago when my husband, Don Roupe, and I bought a house in Glenside.

Who are your own favorite composers?

I love Rossini and Mozart.

What opera singers, past and/or present, do you admire the most?

Some mezzos I love listening to are Teresa Berganza and Joyce DiDonato.

Opera singers I have known say it is almost impossible to make a living as a full-time opera singer outside of New York. Many sing for free, and some even have to pay themselves to sing. Do you share this view?

It is a challenging time for everyone, even those singing in NYC. I have been fortunate and have not had to pay to sing. I do think it is possible to have a full-time singing career if you don't live in NYC. I am thankful that I am a full-time musician and am able to have a career comprised of singing opera and as a soloist and as a private voice teacher.

What was the hardest thing you ever had to do?

Picking up and moving to Philadelphia, not knowing anyone here, was tough but worth it. I knew I had the courage to try something new, and I am glad I did because there are more opportunities for me in this part of the country.

What is the best advice you ever received?

I was instilled with a good work ethic, and I would say that is the most important thing that has helped me. It is important to keep working hard and practicing and studying and auditioning, even when you hear a few no's, because eventually a yes will come.

Which talent that you do not have would you most like to have?

I can dance a little bit and typically do OK, but I would like to become better at it. I do take dance classes occasionally.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to enjoy the outdoors by kayaking and hiking and playing with my two dogs. I also enjoy yoga.

Tickets for the three “Merry Wives of Windsor” performances are available through DVOC's website or at the door: $20 for DVOC members, seniors and students (w/ID); $25 for non-members. More information at www.dvopera.org or 215-745-4171. More about Maja Lisa at www.majalisafritzhuspen.com or @MajaLisaMezzo.

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