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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.
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!
You have no idea what this means to me! I love that you thought of Justice Ginsburg, she was one of opera's greatest lovers and advocates. I had the great privilege to sing for her several times. The last time was in Washington D.C. at the NEA's Opera Honor's ceremony a few years back. I was able to sit with her for along while during the dinner that followed. I was shocked at her memory! She remembered every performance she had ever seen me in.
Virginia opera is such a wonderful company and many like it have had to cancel their seasons with uncertainty of when they will be able to reopen. It is a scary time for the world of opera but it is people like you that will keep us (as artists) and the art going. Your passion and love is why we do what we do (besides our own love!).
Thank you so much for your beautiful comments and hey, there are plenty of ways to get you onstage with singing....
I think I've just been touched by an angel . . . maybe two! Thank you for taking the time to share these reminiscences with me. Never again will I take art and the artists who create it for granted. You deserve better than you get - greater compensation, recognition, opportunity and financial support. I am honored to follow this path forward as one means to recreate the performing arts. I will do all I can to help.❤
Many thanks again to Heather for this awesome interview! Her controversial opinions about opera were definitely my favorite part!
Loved this 💖💖💖💖
Oh, I'm so pleased you enjoyed this interview! I had a lot of fun doing it!
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!
You have no idea what this means to me! I love that you thought of Justice Ginsburg, she was one of opera's greatest lovers and advocates. I had the great privilege to sing for her several times. The last time was in Washington D.C. at the NEA's Opera Honor's ceremony a few years back. I was able to sit with her for along while during the dinner that followed. I was shocked at her memory! She remembered every performance she had ever seen me in.
Virginia opera is such a wonderful company and many like it have had to cancel their seasons with uncertainty of when they will be able to reopen. It is a scary time for the world of opera but it is people like you that will keep us (as artists) and the art going. Your passion and love is why we do what we do (besides our own love!).
Thank you so much for your beautiful comments and hey, there are plenty of ways to get you onstage with singing....
I think I've just been touched by an angel . . . maybe two! Thank you for taking the time to share these reminiscences with me. Never again will I take art and the artists who create it for granted. You deserve better than you get - greater compensation, recognition, opportunity and financial support. I am honored to follow this path forward as one means to recreate the performing arts. I will do all I can to help.❤
Great interview and love the Opera Daily!!!!!
I'm so happy you enjoyed the interview. This community is such a wonderful thing and makes my so happy and excited for the future of opera!