[Mike Slippkauskas]

Thomas,

I know you're a Renee Fleming fan. As I said before, I've had problems of long-standing with her artistry and taste, though never with the quality of her voice. She has truly pulled it all together and is obeying the scores again. I heard her Desdemona in Verdi's Otello and she was sensational, fastidious and reckless at once. After her final act scena the audience was rapt and did not applaud. She so subordinated herself to the drama that the audience simply knew not to break the unbearable tension. No diva turn. She looked as beautiful as she sounded (needless to say).

Perhaps her ten or so years of noodling were a necessary experiment that brought her to this final fulfillment, as some of her stylistic marks were still apparent, though now employed sparingly and heartbreakingly. Even if so, it's hard not to regret those ten years. Ten years are an eternity in the career of a lyric soprano, even one with as large and healthy a voice as she has. I'll hope for ten more.

Best,
Michael

[Janet Kenny]

Michael,
I'm so envious of your proximity to such performances. Desdemona is an impossibly difficult role.

The other day I heard Renee Fleming singing a song by Joseph Marx and it was a celestial performance. She has the stuff of greatness. When she lets it shine.
Janet

(edited to correct spelling of "Joseph")

[This message has been edited by Janet Kenny (edited February 14, 2008).]

[Mike Slippkauskas]

Janet,

And I'm envious of your gardens and birds. As Marianne Moore said, the best thing about New York is "accessibility of experience" and I pay, pay, pay for it in noise, stress and financial insecurity. Still, it has its beauties (I live a minute's walk away from ancient Indian caves in its one unlandscaped park) and my boyfriend and friends are here, great conversations and all that.

I do think Renee's back (and I had a minority opinion). Her Onegin Tatiana last year was superb (check Youtube).

Best,
Michael

[Oriane Stender]

Non-sequitur observation (for those of you who are jealous of proximity to Renee): I rode in an elevator with her recently and she said she liked my scent. I thought that was a bit forward, but appreciated it nonetheless.

[Mike Slippkauskas]

Close proximity indeed! I see her often as a server in a restaurant (I'm the server, she needs no day job, having just bought a 5 million dollar apartment ((this info's all in the public domain)). She's always perfectly sweet.

New York can do that to people, strangers making strangely intimate compliments, suggestions, etc.

Thanks for the anecdote.