Friday we introduced Dream Gallery conductor Sharon Lavery, and today we’re featuring the first voice you hear in the cycle — soprano Mary Jaeb:
Mary Jaeb:
Mary Jaeb began her career singing gospel and sacred music to audiences throughout the United States and Canada, later becoming an exponent of the Great American Songbook and performing in Japan and Korea as well as with big bands in this country. In the classical realm, Mary has appeared with the Central City Opera in Colorado, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Natchez Opera Festival in Mississippi, San Diego Young Artists Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Lyric Opera, Cabrillo Chamber Orchestra and La Jolla Chamber Orchestra. She has been a guest soloist with the La Jolla Symphony on several occasions, singing works of Debussy, Schumann and Mozart. Mary has an M.A. in vocal performance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and was a Metropolitan Opera regional finalist. She lives in Vista, Ca., and teaches at Palomar College in San Marcos.
The Dream Gallery: Seven California Portraits
Mark Abel
Artists: Mary Jaeb; David Marshman; Janelle DeStefano; Delaney Gibson; Carver Cossey; Martha Jane Weaver; Tom Zohar; La Brea Sinfonietta; Sharon Lavery (conductor)
The New California Classical?
Paul McCartney’s tried it; Elvis Costello, too. So have Sting, Peter Gabriel, and even Leonard Bernstein. But a maverick California composer named Mark Abel has created what may be the most elegant and persuasive attempt yet to marry classical and rock. So get ready for a unique and powerful listening experience.
“Well, this is quite the unique piece of art that just might succeed where others have failed. A former New York/New Jersey music producer from 30 years ago since decamped to journalism in San Francisco, Abel ventures into song cycle territory with classical overtones painting his portrait of California. With the pop shadings of Andy Webber, the art rock sensibilities of David Ackles, a certain Broadway theatricality and chops that let him know how to get where he wants to go, the result is an ambitious work that doesn’t fail in making you sit up and pay attention. A must hear kind of date for those looking or a cinematic listening experience, Abel hits it out of the park ands slays others who have tried harder and had a longer reach to waste. Killer stuff.” — Midwest Record
Listen to Mary Jaeb in this excerpt from “Helen (Los Angeles)” in the new Delos Radio Track:
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