Rosa Mannion

Rosa Mannion (born 1962) is a British operatic soprano who has sung leading roles both in the opera houses of the UK and Europe and in the recording studio. Although particularly known for her roles in the operas of Handel and Mozart, she sang a wide repertoire during her career including Violetta in La traviata and all the leading female roles in The Tales of Hoffmann (Olympia, Antonia, and Giulietta).

Career Mannion was born in Liverpool and studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music before making her operatic debut in 1984 as Adina in L'elisir d'amore with Scottish Opera. She also undertook Un ballo in maschera (Oscar) for Opera 80, where the light coloratura fitted her voice, as it then was. She also gained valuable experience working with a touring company. The contract with Scottish Opera gave her three years there during which she sang Pamina, Sophie in Werther and Barbarina as well as understudying Susanna. Towards the end of this period Peter Jonas from English National Opera noticed her in The Magic Flute, and invited her to audition Sophie for a revival of Rosenkavalier at the London-based company, where she went on to appear alongside Jean Rigby (Octavian), Valerie Masterson (the Marschallin) and John Tomlinson (Ochs).

Recordings Mannion's recordings include: Mozart: Così fan tutte (as Dorabella). Monteverdi Choir; English Baroque Soloists; John Eliot Gardiner (conductor). Filmed live at the Théâtre du Châtelet in 1992, originally for television broadcast. Label: Deutsche Grammophon (DVD). Handel: Orlando (as Dorinda). Les Arts Florissants; William Christie (conductor). Label: Erato (CD) Leoncavallo: Pagliacci (as Nedda). London Philharmonic Orchestra; David Parry (conductor). Label: Chandos (CD) Vaughan Williams: A Cotswold Romance (as Mary). London Symphony Orchestra; Richard Hickox. Chandos (CD) recorded October 1997 Beethoven: Missa Solemnis, Op. 123. La Chapelle Royale Choir, Collegium Vocale Gent & Orchestre des Champs Elysees, Philippe Herreweghe (1995) Rutter: Requiem (1985). Polyphony, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Stephen Layton. Hyperion CD recorded January 1997 On film Persuasion (as Concert Opera Singer). Based on the novel by Jane Austen, screenplay by Nick Dear, directed by Roger Michell, music by Jeremy Sams. BBC Television, 1995. Sony Pictures Classics / Columbia TriStar Home Video DVD. A Night with Handel - dramatisation of the composer's arias, over the course of one night in present-day London. Channel 4, 1997. DVD issued by NVC Arts.