No Bull - let me know what you think!

What I love about the web is the opportunity to share my thoughts and passions with others. But I also like to hear what others think and to exchange ideas.

On this page, I'll share some of the comments I've received via e-mail. In some cases, I also may also respond to the comments. Please get in touch!

Email me here

Fan Emails

Courtesy of OPERA-L
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 2004 17:54:08 EDT
Subject: Jessica JONES is just GOREGOUS & Vocal Arts in DC off to a run...

This afternoon the Vocal Arts Society of Washington was to have opened with a recital by baritone, Nathaniel Webster. Unfortunately, on Wednesday, Mr. Webster canceled. Luckily, that same afternoon soprano JESSICA JONES agreed to do a program she had performed earlier this year. It was amazing that she and her accompanist, pianist MICHAEL BAITZER (who had NOT done this program with Ms. Jones before) could get together and perform so seamlessly with less than one day of rehearsal! Not only did both artists excel, they both looked great on stage.

Ms. Jones donned a mauve satin gown with folds around the sides and a bronze bodice of crepe with matching shoulder drapes that was supreme. It was also a credit to her that on such short notice (even with a 75% subscription base), over 85% of the house was sold!

RAVEL Vocalise-Etude
BERLIOZ Zaide
POULENC La dame de Monte-Carlo
SIBELIUS 6 Songs Opus 88 Intermission
BARBER A Last Song My Lizard Solitary Hotel Despite & Still
STRAUSS Waldseigkeit Das Rosenband Schechtes Wetter Morgen

Encores:
Gershwin By Strauss
Strauss Cacile

My favorite part of the program was the opening French portion, which I can't ever recall hearing one of the three wonderful pieces before. The Vocalise is a wonderful start to entrance an audience and has a creamy enticing ending. When the Berlioz began, we all noticed something new, TITLES.

The Vocal Arts Society experimented today using titles projected on the rear of the stage above the artist. They were very clear and large so that everyone could see them, and they were not high up, to make people look above the singer (which could be very disturbing to someone on stage with a lit house!). The Poulenc was so reminiscent of Dialogues of the Carmelites it was scary, but with a totally different and fascinating text by Cocteau. The Sibelius was a bit depressing, but satisfying, and it was the Strauss that lit up the second half of the program.

I must say that Mr. Baitzer was such a seamless and enjoyable accompanist, his presence was really made apparent with the blissful prelude to "Morgen." These two young artists earned their stars today, not only in their Kennedy Center recital debuts, but also coming in at the last minute to save the day. It was such an enjoyable day at that!

ALAN J. SAVADA, CTC Washington, DC

Jessica responds:
Thank you so much for the kind words! It makes it worth all the hard work knowing it is truly appreciated.

-- Jessica