Arcenia Rosal

Arcenia Guzman Rosal, known by friends as Arcy, died at age 94 on January 26, 2024 in Los Angeles where she had lived for the previous year. She was a lifelong Philadelphian, born to immigrant parents from Austria and Guatemala. A talented young pianist and singer, she studied music and music education at Temple University where she sang with the great choral conductor and humanitarian Elaine Brown. Arcenia was also a regular performer with Binghamton's Tri-Cities Opera and a dear friend of founders Peyton Hibbitt and Carmen Savoca.

In Madison, Wisconsin she performed professionally with University Opera (directed by her first husband, Karlos Moser), Madison Opera, and other choral and musical theater companies. Arcenia, who took her grandmother's maiden name as a professional name, was known for her gorgeous voice and skillful acting; she also became a highly respected voice teacher and accompanist. After raising a family in Madison she returned to Philadelphia where she taught vocal technique privately and at Temple University. She became a member of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia where she generously offered support singing with the choir, acting as interim choir director, playing piano and coaching singers. There she met and married her second husband, Carl Denlinger, with whom she enjoyed traveling and a rich social life. Her deep knowledge and love of music brought joy to colleagues, students, friends and family.

Arcenia is survived by her daughters, Elissa Linowes (Michael Linowes) and Maia Rosal (Seth Rosenthal); step-children, Liz (Joy Ladin) and Fritz Denlinger, and Rebecca Pritchard (Rob Pritchard); three grandchildren, Jacob, Sam, and Sarah Linowes; three step-grandchildren; and nephews Mark, Matthew, Martin and Mitchell Guzman. Her husband, Carl Denlinger, died in 2022.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate her life at the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, 2125 Chestnut Street, on March 3 at 2:00.