ROWLESBURG, W.Va. — An internationally renowned opera singer with ties to Preston County will spend part of her Memorial Day weekend performing in Rowlesburg.
Cristina Nassif, whose father was born and raised in the town along the Cheat River, will perform for the 8th year at the annual River City Festival of Arts.
“The audiences are just wonderful. They’re so warm and excited about what we’re bringing to this small town,” Nassif told Hoppy Kercheval on MetroNews “Talkline” Thursday.
Nassif’s parents met in Spain where her mother was an opera singer who also studied in Madrid.
“You can be blessed with incredible talent. If you have not put the work in so you’re ready when and opportunity pops up, it’s as much about being ready for that moment. And, that takes work,” Nassif reflected.
The performer earned a place with the Washington National Opera after a 2006 audition for Placido Domingo.
She has shared her talents internationally in places like London and South Africa. She’s been on stage at Carnegie Hall in Washington, D.C.
“It doesn’t matter you’re performing. If you have an audience that appreciates what you have to offer, it’s just as rewarding,” Nassif sad.
Nassif will be joined by her father and husband on a number of selections bringing festival goers a truly multicultural vocal and theatric performance.
“I’ll be doing a couple of pieces in Italian and Czech. But, we’ll also do some Italian arts songs, a duet in Spanish and a song in French. My husband is doing some Shakespeare songs,” explained Nassif.
Nassif’s performance is at 3 p.m. in the auditorium of the Szilagyi Center Saturday. The Rowlesburg River City Festival of the Arts is Friday through Monday.