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Review QuotesShe has performed on the great stages of the world. Linn Maxwell,
mezzo soprano, born in Indiana, was hailed by the New York Times.
In the Anglo Saxon world her technique is considered flawless.
Now the artist appeared at the International Theater Frankfurt.
Hard work to play before a small audience. (read
more) At times, it is dark and self-absorbed - as was
Lenya. It is also filled with moments of brilliance as the story
of her relationship is with Weill unfolds through torched monologues
and various songs. Maxwell is a gifted actress and her performance
is riveting. After her husband's death in 1950, Lenya's obsession
was to keep his music alive. What comes out of this piece is a
lively, heartfelt portrait of a legendary lady whose story is
worth telling. The songs, in English, German, and French from
shows like "Mahagonny," "The Threepenney Opera,"
and other early stage works, are masterpieces that deserve to
reach new audiences." "Linn Maxwell's dramatic portrayal of Lotte Lenya spotlights stories from the German diva's life. The cabaret-theatre piece, performed at the Producers Club, is currently touring small clubs and universities across the country. "A Whole Lotte Lenya" features the music of Kurt Weill and is written and directed by David Tabatsky. At times, it is dark and self-absorbed - as was
Lenya. It is also filled with moments of brilliance as the story
of her relationship is with Weill unfolds through torched monologues
and various songs. Maxwell is a gifted actress and her performance
is riveting. After her husband's death in 1950, Lenya's obsession
was to keep his music alive. What comes out of this piece is a
lively, heartfelt portrait of a legendary lady whose story is
worth telling. The songs, in English, German, and French from
shows like "Mahagonny," "The Threepenney Opera,"
and other early stage works, are masterpieces that deserve to
reach new audiences." "... but Linn Maxwell stole the show with a masterful performance
of Brahms' "Alto Rhapsody" and Ravel's "Sheherazade."
Maxwell was in full control throughout, her rich contralto capturing
the despairing, yearning emotions... Maxwell's glowing voice,
with a rich vibrato, took it from there, displaying impressive
technical command... Maxwell, rapturous in the first exultant
notes, maintained the drama in softer passages with a voice light
as a caress." "A true mezzo soprano, ample in size yet easily modulated
in either registral extremes and graced with an appealing plangency
of timbre." "Of the vocal soloists, mezzo Linn Maxwell was outstanding.
She possesses a firm, full, well-placed voice, evenly controlled,
and her delivery of an aria like 'Erbarme dich, mein Gott,' in tandem
with solo violin, was a model of poise and musical phrasing." "... Linn Maxwell brought appealing warmth of tone and understanding
to the contralto arias." "Falletta and mezzo-soprano Linn Maxwell's inspired rendition
of Mahler's "Songs of a Wayfarer"... she sang with just
the appropriate tinge of drama... In short, it was a stunning and
satisfying performance, sure to please even the most hardened Mahlerite." "Linn Maxwell, a remarkable mezzo soprano, sang a large, rare
Vivaldi "Nisi Dominus." In her performance, the operatic
qualities of the style served the text in ways that obliterated
the sacred-secular distinctions. Her technique was flawless, her
control sput out of the long, florid passages; her tone and phrasing
were beautiful." "Maxwell sang beautifully in the Passion (St. Matthew), but
made her greatest effect in Saturday's Handel cantata, 'Lucrezia.'
Here she had the stage to herself and made the most of it with a
surprisingly powerful mezzo voice and intelligent musicianship to
back it up." "Maxwell was well chosen for these songs (Kindertotenlieder).
Her tone was even and well-defined throughout the register, despite
the large leaps that Mahler favored." "Miss Maxwell is an exciting singer with an enormous range
of emotional coloration in her voice." "Maxwell's alto solo 'Es ist Vollbracht,' was amont the most
intensely moving moments in the performance." "Mezzo-soprano Linn Maxwell sang her arias with beautiful
focus." "The quarter of soloists was outstanding with Linn Maxwell
making a particularly strong impression. Hers is a true mezzo-soprano,
warm in timbre and utterly even from top to bottom. There are no
register breaks, no phony chest tones." "Mezzo-soprano Linn Maxwell was clearly the vocal star of
this year's Festival (Winter Park Bach Festival)." "The three solosits... dispatched their parts attractively,
with Miss Maxwell's honeyed mezzo making the most impression." "The Inter-American String Quarter with mezzo Linn Maxwell
brought a transparently lyrical sensitivity to Thomas Wagner's 'Ballade,'
a tonal peace prayer... Maxwell and the quarter inconspicuously
showed why Rorem is a master at letting music serve the text." "At the center was Maxwell, who more than amply displayed
what an experienced, well trained, voice, a versatile and sensitive
musicality, and an appealing personality can produce. But what was
most remarkable... was the effectiveness and plausibility shown
as she traversed the likes of Purcell, Stravinsky, Mozart, Brahms
and even Porter and Gershwin." "... Linn Maxwell, the mezzo-soprano, was one of the performance's
assets. She brought a smooth, beautifully modulated tone to her
cavatina, 'Fac ut portem'..." |
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Revised: Monday, 03-Mar-2008 17:12:15 EST
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