Posted by Julie in News, Review, Virginia Opera
“But Street Scene rests on the performance of four big voices. Number one is Mrs. Maurrant. Virginia Opera is blessed by the return of Jill Gardner to essay this very difficult role. She won the day last season as Minnie in The Girl of the Golden West. This time she has a more difficult challenge: to make an adulterous wife sympathetic. And she does. “Somehow I Never Could Believe” is a bear of an aria, but Ms. Gardner creates such a strong bond with her audience that it allows her to lead them along to wherever she chooses. She alone is a reason to see this production.” Read the complete review…
Posted by Julie in News, Review, Virginia Opera
“Jill Gardner as Minnie gets what is surely one of the greatest entrances for any soprano, firing a shot to settle down the quarreling miners in her saloon. The next thing we know, she’s reading to them from the Bible—a lesson about forgiveness that will prove prophetic. Just in her first scene alone, we’re given examples of Minnie’s strength, intelligence, self-sufficiency, shyness, and compassion. Gardner invested this endearing character with great fierceness and great tenderness by turns, and sang with clarity and sweetness of tone.” Read Gina Dalfonzo’s review in it’s entirety on the DC Metro Theater Arts website… Photo Credit: Ben Schill Photography (http://www.schillphotography.com) SaveSave
Posted by Julie in News, Review, Team Gardner, Virginia Opera
Virginia Opera’s production of La Fanciulla del West Review by Tim Smith “THE EMOTIONS FUELING THE PLOT of La Fanciulla del West—unfulfilled sensual needs, homesickness, sense of duty and community, those old favorites of faith, hope and jealousy—were all given serious, sincere attention in a Virginia Opera production that reaffirmed, as admirers of Puccini’s brilliant work have long maintained, it deserves much more prominence in the canon. Aided at every moment by Adam Greene’s refined lighting, there was no shortage of good old-fashioned atmosphere from the scenery (John Conklin) and costumes (Constance Hoffman), originally designed for the Glimmerglass Festival. The director of that earlier production, Lillian Groag, brought her incisive touch to this staging as…
Posted by Julie in News, Review, Virginia Opera
“Soprano Jill Gardner was a brilliant Minnie. Her voice is a powerful instrument that, combined with her natural ability to act brought the pistol-packing, Bible reading, never-been-kissed character with a heart as good as gold to vivid life. Her’s is one of the strongest, most solid soprano sounds to grace the VOA roster. One can only imagine the dramatic heights of her acclaimed Tosca.” Read John Sheldon’s full review in The Virginia Gazette…
Posted by Julie in News, Review, Team Gardner, Virginia Opera
“Around the middle of Act I, Jill Gardner’s Minnie, the pistol-packing saloon owner, makes her entrance, completely shutting down an all too classic bar fight. The choreography by Erik Gaden makes every punch visceral. Gardner wins the audience’s heart early, and keeps it the whole show. Her singing touches every emotion, and she hits notes on both sides of the scale. Her acting, however, is what really makes the show. Gardner truly becomes Minnie. The audience feels her loneliness, her vulnerability, and most of all, her heart. We get to know her as a mother figure to the miners, as their (literal) teacher, and their protector.” Read Matthew Sporn’s review in…
Posted by Julie in News, Review, Team Gardner, Virginia Opera
“Minnie was sung by Jill Gardner, in a Virginia Opera mainstage debut. Her voice is powerful and well-produced, even if still lacking that Tebaldian focus. Gardner’s is a real verismo voice, making it sound easy, and acting every moment. It is understandable that her bio contains raves for her Tosca. She has been through nearly all the Puccini heroines, though not yet Turandot, but I can’t imagine what will stop her. Her Liù is already on the books, and if there’s a soprano today who could work both sides of the Gong, she’s it.” Read David Wagner’s review in it’s entirety on Opera Wire’s website…
Posted by Julie in News, Team Gardner, Virginia Opera
“…Midway through the first act, Minnie, played by Jill Gardner, is the pistol-packing saloon owner who makes a dramatic entrance, taking command of an all-out barroom brawl, skillfully choreographed by Erik Gaden. Gardner takes command of the production as well, and never lets go. Her singing has great emotional range, impressive clarity and flawless dynamic control. Her acting, however, is what stands out the most. In a nuanced performance, Gardner evokes both hesitancy and assuredness, vulnerability and strength, as well as worldly innocence, maternal protectiveness and fierce resolve. In addition to the music of Puccini, she is one of the aces in this production…” Read Andy Garrigue’s review in it’s entirety…
Posted by Julie in News, Teaching, Virginia Opera
Master Teacher Series Event! Free and open to the public! Tuesday – October 10, 2017 – 7 PM at the Dominion Arts Center, 600 E. Grace St, Richmond, VA 23219. Experience the preparation process for Virginia Opera’s Herndon Foundation Emerging Artists as they advance their professional dream with our Master Teacher series. Jill Bowen Gardner & Jake Gardner who will be starring in our production of Puccini’s ‘The Girl of the Golden West’ will provide instruction and advice to the young singers. Enjoy light refreshments with the artists following the presentation. To reserve a space, call 866.673.7282 https://vaopera.org/events/master-teacher-series/
