On Saturday night, McDoc and I attended a wonderful song recital by mezzo-soprano Megan Roth and pianist Jennifer Douville. The program included Shadow of the Blues, a four-song set by John Musto, Siete Canciones Populares Espanolas (Seven Spanish Folksongs) by Manuel De Falla, and songs by Richard Strauss and Hugo Wolf. The performance was part of JP Concerts a series launched just last year and housed at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood.

This was an absolute gem of a performance, and the audience, though wildly enthusiastic, was small. Too small. This stuff needs to be heard, people! If only there were another chance… Wait! There is! The program is being repeated on Wednesday, January 20th at 5:30 p.m. atanother St. John’s — The Church of St. John the Evangelist at 35 Bowdoin St., Boston. Get there if you possibly can, and tell them Miss Music Nerd sent you!

Here’s a little more about what you can expect. Ms. Roth has a mezzo soprano voice that is both rich and agile. What’s more, she has an absolutely magnetic stage presence, and she can act. It’s no surprise to find out that she performs opera and cabaret as well as song. She doesn’t just stand there and sing, but she doesn’t fidget aimlessly or nervously, either — every move she makes is deliberate and effective. It’s a pleasure to see and hear!

As for Ms. Douville: if you play an instrument, you may have had the experience of hearing a fellow practitioner of it who is so good, you say to yourself, “Why do I bother?” Well, I was tempted to think that about Jennifer, because her technique was so dazzling and fluid, but in the end I couldn’t, because I could see that she is a gracious musician and a generous collaborator. It just made me feel good.

Like I said, go and hear them if you can! 🙂

And now, a word from our sponsor: My California trip is almost 25% funded! Can you help get me the rest of the way there? Thanks! 😀