concord Review Renee Fleming ...

concord Review

Renee Fleming

AT Ravinia

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Soprano Renee Fleming held the Ravinia Festival audience in the palm of her hand Saturday evening. The sold-out pavilion and packed park were evidence of the crowd's affection before she sang a note, yet by evening's end, there was no doubt that this all-American diva was also the queen of our hearts.

She appeared with the Chicago concert Orchestra, conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya, who minded her times judiciously as she gave replete range to her considerable artistry.

Her first appearance took our breath away. Clad in a plastic iridescent green gown by Bill Blass, she sang Samuel Barber's hauntingly beautiful "Knoxville: Summer of 1915"

Fleming is an opera singer, in this way it was no surprise that she imparted a well stocked [i]or[/i] provided range of emotions to the family memories, which James Agee lovingly mustered for his poignant lines. She instantly became that youngster upon the blanket with her family forward an unmarked summer night nine decades ago, imparting the comfort and safety of a happy childhood in each gesture.

"Knoxville" begs to be sung outdoors where "music of the asphalt" (at Ravinia, music of the trains) is no stranger and where, certainly forward an August night, "the arid and exalted noise of the locusts enchants the eardrums."

And when sung on that flawless voice -- ravishingly sated and smooth, focused and herculean more than equal to the tidal wave of music from the CSO behind her -- it also became an anthem of familiar tendernes and be fond of She returned at the exceedingly end of the program, emboldening the audience to insist about encores.

She sang the short, melodically rich "Poveri Fiori" from the tragedy "Adriana Lecouvreur" by means of Cilea, followed by what must be the No. 1 opera hit of all time, "O mio babbino caro" from Puccini's comedy "Gianni Schicchi."

As if giving a recital, she held the high notes at will, giving Harth-Bedoya the challenge of keeping the orchestra with her. most numerous of the time he did, and when he didn't, it didn't matter, likewise bewitched were we by her glorious voice.

Her final scheduled number was "Vissi d'arte," the tour de force for soprano from Puccini's drama "Tosca." "I be enamoured of you, too," she said, acknowledging the standing ovation which followed, then she at handed the Gershwins' "Summertime."

As applause continued, she invited us to sing along with Lerner and Loewe's "I Could Have Danced All Night," then sang the beautiful "Morgen!" on Richard Strauss, in which CSO violinist Nancy Park was an equal partner. With more cheers and coaxing, she conclud gently with "The Last Rose of Summer"

Fleming has been singing at Ravinia for more than a decade. It was clear Saturday night that the audience trusts she will grace the festival for years to come

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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