Gina Oselio

Who was Gina Oselio?

Gina Oselio was a Norwegian operatic mezzo-soprano. Her signature role was the title heroine in Georges Bizet's Carmen.

She studied singing in her native country with Fritz Arlberg, with Fredrika Stenhammar in Sweden and with Mathilde Marchesi in Paris. She made her professional opera debut in 1879 at the Royal Swedish Opera. In 1882 Oscar II of Sweden bestowed upon her the title of "hofsangerinde". The following year she married the actor Bjørn Bjørnson. In 1902 she was awarded a medal by the King. She was also named an honorary member of the Norsk Operasangerforbund and was a recipient of the Litteris et Artibus.