Soothing Tea

You might remember I talked with Karl Jenkins about the latest album on EMI, Kiri Sings Karl, found here.
But you may not have known this, from back in 1993, when I was stage manager of the Wichita Symphony:
The Wichita Eagle
11-18-1993
HE BREWED THE TEA THAT SOOTHED KIRI
by Jon Roe/The Wichita Eagle
Those were two great performances Sunday night in the Century II Concert Hall. Kiri Te Kanawa sang the classics in a smashing Wichita Symphony Celebrity Series recital, and John Clare brewed the chamomile in a demonstration of how versatile a good stage manager must be. Dame Kiri, the soprano from New Zealand, drinks chamomile tea backstage. And, since she generally has to grab quick sips between numbers, it has to be perfect . . . brewed in boiling water, but then mixed with tap water to ensure that it's hot, but not so hot that it burns her vocal cords when she comes off stage and takes a sip.
It was John who brewed the tea and stood in the wings with a cup for Dame Kiri. And she pronounced it done to perfection.
Century II's caterer, Volume Services, excelled as well, providing just about all the exotic fruit she requested for her dressing room apples, grapes, pomegranates, kiwi and star fruit. The only thing they couldn't find was mangoes, and she didn't complain.
Matter of fact, Dame Kiri was constantly warm and gracious, charming everyone who met her, signing autographs for about 50 people backstage and, when she received two dozen apricot roses from her management company, giving them to her driver to take home to his wife.

Five Things about Kiri Te Kanawa

I heard the "Farewell Recital" of Kiri Te Kanawa at the Kimmel Center Wednesday night in Philadelphia.

1. The crowd was pretty boring and not very excited at the outset - a medium house couldn't be blamed on the rain - it was too bad because what followed for the night was exquisite. After intermission the energy was higher in the crowd. Everyone also applauded after every song, even when it was only a few minutes long - so while that wouldn't normally bother me - it was musically interuptive in the song sets. Dame Kiri would smile occassionally and nod, but all too often someone had to clap over the sublime sounds of Warren Jones at the keyboard. While their love for Kiri's artistry was great, there wasn't much respect for the music.

2. Having Kiri sing a set of Richard Strauss songs, including some of my favorites: Die Nacht and Morgen, was heavenly. One felt she was singing to just you, despite being in a large concert hall.

3. If something better could follow Strauss, it was the nasally and sumptous Duparc songs, with breathy and irresistible singing. Again, Warren Jones outdid himself as a collaborative pianist.

4. The second half was filled with more energy, and showed a lighter side to Dame Kiri, from her speaking about Jake Heggie and the everyday man (common if you will) humor of Copland's "Why do they shut me out of Heaven?". Several times Kiri checked notes or words placed slyly on the piano lid - who cares, it was magnificent!

5. The encores, Ginastera's "Song of the Olive Tree" was vibrant and sexy; Richard Rodney Bennett's "Goodbye For Now" was charming and sweet. You wanted more and knew unlike some artists who have performed well past their prime, that Dame Kiri is finishing at the top of her game - we'll look forward to her teaching and more intimate performances.

Catch Dame Kiri on this tour if you can, and while you're at it, buy her Traviata or Capriccio or Four Last Songs - you'll be glad you did.

Also see this post about Kiri, tea and me.