by Kevin McLaughlin
Soprano Jennifer Rowley and pianist Jason Aquila brought an unmistakable love for bel canto singing to Gamble Auditorium at Baldwin Wallace the evening of February 13. In a recital entitled “Inspirazione,” Rowley acknowledged her indebtedness to the mostly bel canto composers on the program and to the conductors and collaborators who have thus far aided her career. She hoped to repay the debt in kind to the excited BW voice students listening from the balcony.
As a BW alumna from not so long ago (’02), Rowley has clearly made good. She’s had roles at the Met, Carnegie Hall, the Paris Opera, and Covent Garden, and sung under the batons of Zubin Mehta and Yannick Nézet-Séguin. The songs of Bellini and Verdi on this program were touching, but it wasn’t until the later dramatic arias (and a backstage dash for water) that her full vocal command seemed to awaken. [Read more…]
It’s Valentine’s Day all week this week, and aside from the obvious gifts — flowers, chocolates, and shiny bling — there are a number of ways to take to heart the new advice of gifting your love interest experiences rather than things.