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• HOME • BROAD SPECTRUM MUSIC • BIOGRAPHY • RÉSUMÉ • REPERTOIRE • PERFORMED WITH...• • REVIEWS • PHOTO GALLERY • • COMMENTS • |
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Robert DeCeunynck (1940-2006), coach/accompanist with Seattle, New York City and Metropolitan Operas – "It never hurts a singer to know how to sing! Shirley Harned's solid, dependable technique enables her to sing and sing wonderfully in circumstances that would send most singers screaming to their doctors, agents or mothers. We have worked together in rehearsals, school auditoriums, and recital halls. Shirley has always performed with energy, depth and commitment in every instance.” |
George London (1920-1985), singer/director – “To Shirley, of the proud stance and lovely mezzo sound.” |
François Rochaix, director – “I worked several times with Shirley Harned, in my production of the Ring, of Carmen and of Dialogues of the Carmelites, every time with a great joy. Shirley is a lively artist, both musically and as an actress. With her a director can experience a lot of his dreams because she is flexible and open. I even had her flying on a horse high in the air and singing...” |
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Bruce Ferden (deceased), conductor – “Shirley Harned has sung for me both in audition and in performance in the Seattle area. She is an exceptional mezzo-soprano with an incredible range. From top to bottom, her voice is well-produced and well-focused and of considerable size. She is also a passionate performer and a convincing actress. I would recommend her anywhere.”
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Everett Symphony Orchestra Notes, Vol. II, No. 1 – Paul Cobbs, Conductor “REPRISE... “The air was charged with drama at the final concert last season when Shirley Harned, soprano, stepped in at the 11th hour to replace [a singer] who was forced to cancel on account of illness. “With but one pre-concert rehearsal, and executing extremely difficult material [*], Harned’s glorious voice had the audience on its feet and cheering. The orchestra members said they had never worked with a more charming soloist—a most unprima-donna-ish prima-donna.” *2 arias each from Figaro, Così, and Don Giovanni |
Gerard Schwarz, conductor – “Miss Harned is a consummate artist, wonderful on the stage and in concert alike. I have conducted performances of her in Mozart and Wagner operas as well as Händel and Mozart with the Seattle Symphony. She has always been extraordinary--musical, sensitive, and extremely well-prepared.” |
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Rita Gorr, singer – “Last January I had the pleasure to sing in the Opera of Seattle the part of ‘Madame de Croissy’ from Dialogues des Carmelites. Shirley Harned sang the part of ‘Sœur Mathilde.’ Thus I was able to appreciate her true vocal qualities. I do think you can have full confidence in her artistic abilities and could certainly engage her for the parts of her repertory.” |
Stephen Wadsworth, director – “I have worked with Shirley Harned at Seattle Opera. She is an intense, vivid actress with a warm, wide-ranging mezzo, secure and brilliant on top. Fine musician, fine colleague.” |
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Robert Israel, designer – “Shirley Harned is a complete actor-singer. Her appearance on the stage is a joy in that the world of music/theater is fused as one.” |
Hermann Michael (deceased), conductor – “I've had the opportunity to work with Shirley Harned several times. I distinctly remember her performances of Orlovsky in Die Fledermaus and Waltraute in Die Walküre. “Shirley Harned on all these occasions was well prepared and gave each role a very thoughtful, totally convincing stage presence. “I am sure her musicality and voice-quality makes it easy to work with her in any given opera.” |
Francesca Zambello, director – “Shirley Harned is a delightful comedienne, witty, charming and a consistent performer. I love working with her because she constantly brings in new insight to characters. A true singing actress.” |
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Speight Jenkins, General Director, Seattle Opera – The 2007-08 season was Speight Jenkins' 25th as general director; he was listed by Opera News in 2006 as one of the "25 Most Powerful Names in U.S. Opera." Among Jenkins' many honors is the 2005 Anton Seidl Award from the Wagner Society of New York (the first company director to be thus acknowledged) for his "new and stimulating productions of all the canonical Wagner music dramas," including the "Ring." “Shirley Harned has proved a mainstay of the Seattle Opera. Her mastery of musical styles and at least seven operatic languages makes her an astonishingly valuable artist. From Azucena and Augusta Tabor to Alisa and Annina, Ms. Harned has contributed individual, vital performances to Seattle Opera.” |
Julian Patrick (1926-2009), singer – “I have performed with Shirley a number of times over the past eight years, most recently in Gianni Schicchi and War and Peace in 1990. She has a warm voice which she uses with great skill and telling effect. In performance she becomes the character with her vocal color matching her histrionic portrayal. She is also a kind, dependable and generous colleague.” |
Leon Lishner (1913-1995), singer/director; Professor Emeritus "Miss Harned has a very beautiful mezzo- |