ROWLESBURG, W.Va. — Internationally recognized soprano Cristina Nassif will take the stage with her husband and father Saturday at the River City Festival in Preston County.
Her father grew up in Rowlesburg, also the home of the festival. Nassif has close ties to the small town and returns with her family every year for holidays and events just like the River City Festival.
“It’s been exciting to prepare this concert for our Rowlesburg audience,” she said.
This year Nassif will be performing with her husband and father to offer a variety of musical pieces and what she calls “something for everyone.”
Nassif’s performance may be considered diverse, featuring songs from many different origins such as Italian, German, French, Hungarian and Spanish. She will also perform a musical theater piece.
“I know that a program like the one that I’m offering sounds a little daunting, but I think it’s important,” she said. “Many opera companies right now and symphony orchestras are attracting newer audiences with new works.”
Attracting the youth to different styles of music is important to Nassif and she hopes that they will enjoy what she has to offer.
“I really feel it’s important to draw this younger generation in now by exposing them to the classics,” she said.
Along with Nassif’s pieces, her baritone husband Jamie Kotmair, will perform songs from the World War II era in honor of all Preston County veterans that served in the war. Her father will also make a guest experience.
Being a mother to three children and an internationally renowned singer, Nassif has made it a point to find a balance between the two by making time to practice in her busy schedule.
“It’s absolutely necessary,” she said. “It’s like a runner. If you don’t warm up, you’re going to pull something.”
The special performance will be this Saturday at the River City Festival in Rowlesburg, W.Va. starting at 3:00 p.m.
“It’s really wonderful to get a chance to give back to that community that has meant so much to our family,” she said.
Admission to the event is free for students.