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The Magic of Puccini
On Friday night, March 16, I once again found myself at the Metropolitan Opera. I was invited by my close friends, Kristen and Chris, to hear Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Hearing this glorious music brought back very fond memories of singing the role of Suzuki, Butterfly’s faithful servant/friend, in – as best as I can recall –…
Read MoreMahler & Me (Grammar expert confirms this syntax)
The third week of January was a very cultural week. If you read my lengthy blog post about the Met’s Tosca, you have learned what a particularly meaningful opera this is to me. On an entirely different musical plane is my love for another of my favorite composers, Gustav Mahler. On Saturday, Jan. 20th, I…
Read MoreTosca’s Enduring Spell – A Personal Reflection
As some of you may know, Puccini’s Tosca was the first opera I saw live, at the tender age of 13, and to this day it is my all-time favorite opera. Prior to seeing that live performance at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, when the Met did its annual tour visit, I was taught the opening chords…
Read MoreWorld War II
I don’t know many people, in this current day and age, who pay much attention to, or know that much about, World War II . Frankly, I wouldn’t myself but for a recent renewed interest in my dad’s war record. Like many veterans, Dad didn’t talk about his service much. I once asked him, “Dad, you were…
Read MoreThe Choirs of Nashua, Part 2
Last July, I blogged about my spring experience as an alto ringer with First Church of Nashua. Joe Olefirowicz, Minister of Music, has built a sensational music program at First Church, and I always enjoy working with him, either as a soloist or a ringer in the choir. Recently, I had the pleasure of performing…
Read MoreFabric Fun
The Scene: A beautiful fall day in New Hampshire The Players: Janet and Janice The Goal: To find a fun and creative fabric project If you have been keeping up with my blogs (at www.janiceedwards.com as well as FaceBook), you know that one of my April entries, “The Quilting Bee”, described my interest in quilting,…
Read MoreTanglewood in July…Mahler and Wagner and Shakespeare, oh my!
In July, I had the privilege of hearing two amazing concerts at Tanglewood, the summer home of the BSO (Boston Symphony Orchestra) My dear friend Joy McIntyre “summers” in the Berkshires and teaches every year at BUTI (Boston University Tanglewood Institute – a summer program for high school singers and instrumentalists). Joy graciously extends her hospitality to me…
Read MoreUpdate: Tenor Maxwell McGrath
Max continues his climb to Local Tenor Stardom with his most recent success with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra (www.portsmouthsymphony.org). On June 11 at the Music Hall (www.themusichall.org) in Portsmouth, Max made his debut with the PSO singing his signature aria, “Ah, la paterna mano” from Verdi’s Macbeth. It was thrilling to hear Max sing with a full…
Read MoreSpeaking of FOOD
Yes , I am a “foodie”. I think most performing artists are. One of my favorite local shops is Angela’s Pasta and Cheese Shop at 815 Chestnut Street in Manchester’s North End. A few weeks ago, I saw a notice about a “wine pairing” event at the end of April. So I asked my good friend…
Read MoreNew York State of Mind, Part 2
Back in the 1980s, Christine lived in Manhattan, pursuing her singing career like so many of we aspiring classical singers. Since “changing majors” and graduating from Union Theological Seminary at about that time, she had not visited NYC. So she was not ready to return to New England on Saturday morning after our delightful night at…
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