Last night’s Patron Appreciation Recital, “A Cabaret Evening with Patricia Racette,” was a tremendous success with the donors and subscribers who made up the Winspear Opera House audience for this exclusive “thank-you” event.
After a bit of tweaking to get the amplification just right (yes, she is a world-class opera singer but one working with an altogether different repertoire–hence, the microphone), Ms. Racette regaled the crowd with powerful Edith Piaf covers and a host of marvelous standards like “The Man Who Got Away,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” and “Get Happy.”
There was just enough charming patter between songs and several quirky, fun numbers like Stephen Sondheim’s “The Boy From…” but Ms. Racette was at her best when the ballads grew quiet and sad, and, as the audience leaned forward as one, you could have heard a pin drop in a group silence as attentive as it was intense.
Gorgeous diction, purity of sound, heartfelt and expressive delivery; Patricia Racette can come sing at my party anytime.
UPDATE: Here’s a review of the performance from “Theater Jones.”
Suzanne Calvin, Manager/Director Media & PR