We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Benedetta Orsi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Benedetta below.
Benedetta, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Creating my debut album “Christmas Around the World” was the most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on, born and inspired by my exceptionally close relationship with my goddaughter, Beatrice, tragically affected by an unknown brain virus when she was just 18 months old. Beatrice and I were inextricably bound by a shared, magical love for music, the Christmas season and its melodies, and when she asked me to record a holiday album for her, I realized this project could become a gift far greater than we ever imagined.
Started as a proof of love, the album became a deeply personal journey, with a vital philanthropic vision: to raise awareness and directly support FANEP Onlus, an Italian organization based in my hometown, Bologna, dedicated to helping children facing complex neurological conditions, while supporting their families.
I absolutely believe that through music, we can challenge the greatest difficulties. Music doesn’t care about nationalities, skin colors, or religions—it speaks directly to the human heart. That is exactly how “Christmas Around the World” was conceived: as a project born from love to transform personal adversity into a global message of hope, unity, and concrete support for vulnerable children. And even though Beatrice is no longer with us, after 20 years of struggle, I know she is very proud of how our simple musical idea is still inspiring so many people.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
My journey into the operatic world began in Italy, rooted in a deep passion for storytelling through voice, but my career quickly evolved into international waters. From being one of only a few contemporary mezzo-sopranos to have performed all three roles in Donizetti’s Tudor Queens trilogy in England —Jane Seymour in Anna Bolena, Elisabetta in Maria Stuarda, and Sara in Roberto Devereux—to refining my interpretation skills in Spain under the guidance of the legendary mezzo-soprano Teresa Berganza, these global experiences deeply shaped my artistry.
Today, the creative work I provide spans elite operatic performances, intimate and innovative chamber presentations, comprehensive vocal coaching, and strategic arts leadership.
I am immensely proud of my roots and the personal journey that brought a young, dreaming Italian singer to the United States to chase a vision. I have managed to forge an international career, build a beautiful, loving family together with my husband, Dominican composer and conductor Darwin Aquino, and establish a thriving business as an arts entrepreneur.
I want my followers to know that my work is defined by resilience, versatility, and a commitment to keeping classical music vibrant and accessible. Whether I am on stage, mentoring a student, or directing operations behind the scenes, my mission is to infuse my genuine Italian heritage and international expertise into everything I do, inspiring deep emotional connection and empowering the next generation of voices.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The ultimate validation of my artistry lies in the profound, invisible connections I weave with my audience. I considers touching the hearts of listeners and forging deep, emotional musical relationships to be the most rewarding aspect of my career. By channeling my rich Italian musical heritage, I do not only perform; I share a piece of my cultural soul, transforming centuries-old traditions into a universal language of shared human experience. I truly believe that singers should move people, evoke vulnerability, and create moments of transcendent beauty with their voices. That’s what I’m aiming for every single time I perform in front of my audience.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The pandemic brought unimaginable struggles, deep uncertainties, and profound pain to every single person—and as an opera singer, facing that sudden global silence was incredibly daunting. Yet, right in the midst of that crisis, my world experienced a beautiful, parallel shift with the birth of our ‘COVID baby,’ Riccardo, on April 2nd, 2020. Becoming a mother during such a historic moment granted me a completely new vision of my career and what I was truly capable of pursuing: it sparked a major professional pivot. I launched my own private studio to teach vocal technique, expanded my own repertoire into beautiful chamber music, and began deeply engaging with the vibrant chamber music scene here in St. Louis. I also returned to my roots, leveraging my marketing degree from the University of Bologna to master brand strategies and modern social media platforms. This powerful combination of artistic diversification and business insight opened incredible new doors: in 2023, I joined the Saint Louis Women’s Chorale as their Artistic Manager, a role that has proudly evolved this past May into Director of Operations. What began as a time of global uncertainty ultimately allowed me to redefine myself not just as a mezzo-soprano, but as an innovative arts entrepreneur and leader.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://benedettaorsi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benedettaorsi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BenedettaOrsimezzosoprano
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benedetta-orsi-75855450/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/benedettaorsi
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/benedetta-orsi
Image Credits
Andrea Cencini Photography
Wylde Brothers Productions
Jeannie Liautaud Photography, llc
Convergence Media Group