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I woke up to a gray, dreary, January day marked by fog and a cold, steady rain.  When Mirella Freni's "Un bel dì, vedremo" from Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" popped up first on my YouTube account, I listened feeling both the hope and the sorrow of the aria.  Hope and sorrow were also my legacy today from the latest eruptions from the lame duck president, from news of 350,000 COVID-19 American deaths and the slow rollout of life-saving vaccines.
I could have climbed back into bed and pulled the covers up to my chin.  Instead I clicked on Opera Daily and found a rich array of new offerings. It was exciting and a privilege to meet Heather Johnson online, and to gain insights on her personal story, the operas and composers she loves, her classical and avant garde roles, and her work introducing opera to children in NYC public schools.
Ms. Johnson's photos made me think of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, taking part in an opera production in Washington, DC, onstage and in full costume. She must have been thrilled when assistants dressed her in costume, applied her make-up and transformed her into the opera performer of her dreams. I would love to have that experience! I imagine myself in "Aida", or "Norma", or "La Bohème" - lip synching the lyrics, rather than punishing those within earshot with my vocal shortcomings.😆
Ms. Johnson's remarks on the impact of Metropolitan Opera HD on regional opera companies got me thinking, too, about the Virginia Opera (https://vaopera.org/2020-2021-season-update/) in Richmond, which canceled its entire 2020-2021 season last month. Most of my spare change in 2020 went toward political campaigns. Now it's time to do what I can to help such companies and their unemployed performers survive.
Many thanks again to Heather for this awesome interview! Her controversial opinions about opera were definitely my favorite part!
Loved this 💖💖💖💖
I woke up to a gray, dreary, January day marked by fog and a cold, steady rain.  When Mirella Freni's "Un bel dì, vedremo" from Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" popped up first on my YouTube account, I listened feeling both the hope and the sorrow of the aria.  Hope and sorrow were also my legacy today from the latest eruptions from the lame duck president, from news of 350,000 COVID-19 American deaths and the slow rollout of life-saving vaccines.
I could have climbed back into bed and pulled the covers up to my chin.  Instead I clicked on Opera Daily and found a rich array of new offerings. It was exciting and a privilege to meet Heather Johnson online, and to gain insights on her personal story, the operas and composers she loves, her classical and avant garde roles, and her work introducing opera to children in NYC public schools.
Ms. Johnson's photos made me think of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, taking part in an opera production in Washington, DC, onstage and in full costume. She must have been thrilled when assistants dressed her in costume, applied her make-up and transformed her into the opera performer of her dreams. I would love to have that experience! I imagine myself in "Aida", or "Norma", or "La Bohème" - lip synching the lyrics, rather than punishing those within earshot with my vocal shortcomings.😆
Ms. Johnson's remarks on the impact of Metropolitan Opera HD on regional opera companies got me thinking, too, about the Virginia Opera (https://vaopera.org/2020-2021-season-update/) in Richmond, which canceled its entire 2020-2021 season last month. Most of my spare change in 2020 went toward political campaigns. Now it's time to do what I can to help such companies and their unemployed performers survive.
Finally, I arrive at Jules Massenet's "Werther". The stand-alone arias - "Va! laisse couler mes larmes!", "Pourquoi me réveiller, ô souffle du printemps!" and "Werther! Qui m'aurait dit… Ces lettres!" - even without images, or a full understanding of the lyrics - capture love's longing, desperation, ironies and even cruelties as conveyed by the story. Tomorrow I'll listen to the full opera with a fresh spirit. For today, though, I'm here for Heathermezzo's career (and Michelemezzo's, too)! Good luck, ladies!
Great interview and love the Opera Daily!!!!!