Marion Garassino – a fervent opera singer
KENSINGTON B – As an avid supporter of animal welfare, Marion is also donating 50 per cent of the sale of every CD to animal rescue shelters.
Marion Garassino, an Italian-South African, has officially released her CD entitled, Mamma, as a living tribute to her mother, who inspired her to sing.
Mamma was created as a gift for her mother, who, as Garassino puts it, “Was always encouraging me to persevere with my singing. I used to love listening to her singing around the house and she would cry as she sang because the music and lyrics touched her so deeply. The songs on this CD are among her favourites and have become mine as well”.
As an avid supporter of animal welfare, Garassino is also donating 50 percent of the sale of every CD to animal rescue shelters. These are: Gudwulfs ROC, Animal Rescue Organisation (Aro), African Tails, Uitsig Animal Rescue and Irwin’s Animal Rescue. “They do phenomenal work, predominately in impoverished areas and townships, so they really need our support,” added Garassino. She grew up watching the musicals of the 40s, 50s and 60s and attributes her love for opera to her father, who moved to South Africa from Rome. “He had an exceptional knowledge of opera and I am so blessed to have had him to teach me and share with me the beautiful world of opera,” she said.
“They do phenomenal work, predominately in impoverished areas and townships, so they really need our support,” added Garassino. She grew up watching the musicals of the 40s, 50s and 60s and attributes her love for opera to her father, who moved to South Africa from Rome. “He had an exceptional knowledge of opera and I am so blessed to have had him to teach me and share with me the beautiful world of opera,” she said.
She grew up watching the musicals of the 40s, 50s and 60s and attributes her love for opera to her father, who moved to South Africa from Rome. “He had an exceptional knowledge of opera and I am so blessed to have had him to teach me and share with me the beautiful world of opera,” she said.
“He had an exceptional knowledge of opera and I am so blessed to have had him to teach me and share with me the beautiful world of opera,” she said.
Garassino explained how difficult it is to become a successful opera singer in South Africa. “My father even asked me if I would rather try something more popular, but opera was the only genre I wanted to work in because it is the ultimate discipline. Your body itself is your instrument, so it takes discipline to tune it physically, and protect it; but much more than that, singing is a psychological and spiritual thing, and depends so much on how comfortable you are within yourself. I had a very difficult time overcoming self-doubt,” she added.
Your body itself is your instrument, so it takes discipline to tune it physically, and protect it; but much more than that, singing is a psychological and spiritual thing, and depends so much on how comfortable you are within yourself. I had a very difficult time overcoming self-doubt,” she added.
Garassino has sung in several concerts, her first opera being, Madame Butterfly, at the Roodepoort Theatre, in September 2015.
“Each song on my CD has a special place in my heart, mostly because of its connection with my mother,” she said, smiling warmly.
There is an aria, as well as a few easy-listening pieces, and one more contemporary song.
If you would like to purchase a copy of Mamma, you can order it directly. E-mail: info4marion@gmail.com or call 074 911 9053. The cost is R150 including postage/delivery.
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