Faith Esham - Massenet: CENDRILLON, Enfin je suis ici, NYCO 1983, High D

THE MUSIC: Massenet's "Cendrillon" is a stunning, magical opera! In addition to a superb character role for a coloratura soprano (La Fée, or Fairy Godmother which is featured in other posts on my songbirdwatcher channel), the heroine Cendrillon (Cinderella) is written for a lyric soprano. That said, there is an optional High D in the score at the end of her anxious aria, "Enfin, je suis ici" which is sung upon returning home from the ball. Faith Esham takes the High D in this live recording from the New York City Opera production (this, despite beginning Esham career as a mezzo -- notice how she is pictured in this video in a Wolf Trap production of "Hansel and Gretel" as Hansel).
THE SONGBIRD: Esham was trained at Juilliard in New York, working with Jennie Tourel, Beverly Johnson, and Adele Addison. Her professional debut in 1977 was as Cherubino at the New York City Opera. Other roles at NYCO were Zerlina, Micaela, Mimi, Liu, and Leïla, but also some higher, more florid roles: Manon, Baby Doe, Gilda, and Olympia. She was engaged at Glyndebourne Festival, La Scala, Paris Opera, Vienna State Opera, Geneva, Cologne, and Cardiff. She only sang one performance at The Met -- Marzelline in "Fidelio" in December 1986. Marie McLaughlin sang the other five performances of the opera that season.

[@cozene35]

Gorgeous voice of Faith Esham!! Brava!!!!

[@edwardamosbrandwein3583]

A great yet somewhat underrated artist!

[@Perrosiutico]

What a night that was! I had been singing in the chorus of NYCOpera for a few seasons, but this was my solo debut. I was the Prime Minister and had a brief scene with the Prince (Delia Wallace), some comic business with one of the sisters (Judith Christen) and a dance at the Ball, a bit of mime in the last act with John Langston and got to share a bow with Maureen Forrester at the end.That was the beginning of a career at NYC Opera that lasted 30 years. That night Faith Esham amazed everyone with her successful transition from mezzo to high soprano. Will Parker made his debut as Pandolfe, substituting for dear Donald Gramm who had died without giving notice. Delia Wallace was the Prince, followed later in the run by Susanne Marsee. It was directed by Brian MacDonald and conducted by Mario Bernardi. It was also the introduction of "supertitles" to New York City (U.S.?) audiences. This was among Beverly's greatest achievements.

[@songbirdwatcher]

Hey Neil -- thank you for all the insider details, it sounds remarkable and like quite a watershed production at NYCO.

[@edwardamosbrandwein3583]

Who sang the role of Cendrillon's Fairy Godmother?

[@songbirdwatcher]

I believe it was Erie Mills as the Fairy Godmother

[@edwardamosbrandwein3583]

@@songbirdwatcher thx

[@beatrizmirandamezzo]

Amazing and gorgeous voice and absolutely incredible high D at the end of the aria! Brava!!

[@cluny]

I came to see the Michëla aria from the movie Carmen 1983. This came up next as a suggested view. Thanks.

[@Perrosiutico]

If the entire performance is available I wish you could upload it. The sound is quite good!

[@songbirdwatcher]

The entire perf is likely on tape somewhere, but I only some excepts. I'll explore posting more later.