McMillian expresses vocal versatility

Geraldine McMillian, an acclaimed soprano, performed at Max Noah Recital Hall on Tuesday Oct. 12, accompanied by Dr. Richard Mercier on piano.

McMillian, who has performed in numerous opera companies including the New York City Opera, the, Nashville Opera, and the Greater Miami Opera, has sang many different roles including Mimi in “La Boheme”, Cio-Cio San “Madame Butterfly”, and what many consider her signature role – the title role in “Aida”.

“She has such an expressive, beautiful voice,” said Dr. Mercier. “It is supreme– a Rolls Royce of a voice.”

Her performance Tuesday night consisted of a wide assortment of pieces to express her vocal versatility. “We’re demonstrating that a person with a good technique can perform all types of songs,” explained Dr. Mercier.

McMillian began her brilliant concert with a few simple yet very moving Italian pieces, the last of which, “Nel cor piu non mi sento”, was particularly interesting seeing as it was sung in an almost humorous and playful mood considering the serious content of the song.

Three German pieces by Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms, described by Mercier as “beautiful to listen to and fun to sing” followed, the most astounding of which was “Von ewiger Liebe (which translates as “Of Eternal Love”), a dark, solemn melody accompanied by an equally astounding piano.

McMillian also performed several pieces in Spanish, all of which were perhaps the most beautiful of the recital all though they were perhaps the simplest. “Cancion de cuna para dormer a un negrito” (which translates as “Cradle song to put a Negro child to sleep”), a very gentle, soft lullaby, could easily be considered the most moving of all of McMillian’s pieces. “It’s very lively, slow and soothing,” Mercier comments.

The first half of the performance was ended with “Temerari…Come scoglio immoto resta” a bold and powerful piece by Mozart.

After intermission McMillian began the second half of her performance with “Toi qui sus le neant”, an aria from the opera “Don Carlos”. A very melodic piece mixed with both sorrowful and joyful notes, this opera excerpt was sung with passion and power on McMillian’s part.

Three more German pieces followed, including “Allerseelen”, a very beautiful piece full of sorrow and mourning, by Richard Strauss.

McMillian then sang three Walt Whitman poems, all of which were mesmerizing. “The Twenty-ninth Bather, however, was particularly fascinating due it’s slightly erotic content. And “The Last Invocation” was accompanied by a dominant and truly beautiful piano.

To conclude her stunning performance, McMuillian sang four gospel songs which were presented in a style very different from what most people would be used to. Her vocal techniques were truly astonishing in the simplest pieces such as “Deep River” and “He’s got the whole world in His hands”.

” I enjoyed it quite a bit. I especially liked her facial expressions while she was singing,” said freshman Philip Guvser.

McMillian’s concert was a very new and different experience for many who had never heard the powerful, breathtaking voice of a soprano before. She performed with true passion and spirit, inspiring many.

“I’m not really an opera-type girl,” said Ashley Breymeier, a sophomore, “But I thought it was beautiful.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 15 2004. Filed under Other. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry