“Carmen” was not exactly a hit when it first opened and often played to half-empty houses. Bizet died before the end of the first run of 36 performances, never to know that “Carmen” would eventually become one of the most popular operas ever written.
”By the grace of God and with His help, I shall one day be a Liszt in technique and a Mozart in composition.”
The wonderful French soprano is 45-years-old today. Patricia Petibon is one of the finest singers in world today, especially in French and Baroque repertoire. William Christie loves her and often features her in performances with Les Arts Florissants. Here’s hoping that some day she makes it to Kansas City.
“Today everything is so technical, so mechanical, that the heart has gone.”
In 2007, she was ranked 10th on the BBC Music Magazine’s list of the “20 Greatest Sopranos of All Time.”
“I suffer so much in this life. That is what they [the audience] are feeling when I sing, that is why they cry. People who felt nothing in this life cannot sing.”
“Watermelon – it’s a good fruit. You eat, you drink, you wash your face.”
“I did think I did see all heaven before me, and the great God himself.” (Handel describing his composition of the Hallelujah Chorus.)
“His hallelujahs open the heavens. He utters the word ‘Wonderful,’ as if all their trumpets spoke together. And then, when he comes to earth, to make love amidst nymphs and shepherds (for the beauties of all religions found room within his breast), his strains drop milk and honey, and his love is the youthfulness of the Golden Age.” – Leigh Hunt
“Handel is the greatest composer that ever lived. I would uncover my head and kneel on his grave.” – Beethoven
Sarah Taxman, “The Opera Lady,” said that Crespin possessed a “beautiful, sumptuous voice, solid technique, refined phrasing and the most varied tone color of any voice I ever heard.”
Nothing shows off that voice better than “Le Spectre de la Rose” from “Les nuits d’été” by Hector Berlioz.
(FYI: The Kansas City Ballet will perform Swan Lake for the first time in its history February 19-28, 2016!!)