On September 28, the Opera Cowgirls graced the stage at Legacy Hall in the Jack B. Kelly Student Center at West Texas A &M University for “The Arts at WT: A Subscription Series.” They have returned to the area several times since their intial appearance in 2019, and call the Panhandle a second musical home.
Their performance, a unique blend of Grand Opera and Grand Ole’ Opry that brands the Cowgirls, was vintage, generously populated by the most-sung numbers from their growing repertoire. And, they played to what amounted to a home-field advantage: most of the attendees had previously heard them, and returned for a repeat performance.
A few of their ensemble pieces, as well as some done with the backup chorus are noted here.
A work that epitomized the collective oeuvre of the Cowgirls, Say Something-I’m Giving Up on You – was pitched as a mash-up of Christina Aguilera and Maria Callas. Caitlin McKechney, a mezzo, began the song, which Jessica Sandidge, a coluratura, overlaid with an operatic descant which enhanced the overall pathos.
I Feel a Sin Coming On put an operatic spin on the Pistol Annies’ hit. The singing styles sublimely merged and it was hard to hear the transition from one form to the other. But the theme and morals, or lack thereof, remained constant despite the genre. Caitlin quipped that doing this work was ironic in that she was pregnant.
An opera test question: can sopranos outsing tenors in Nessun Dorma, the aria from Puccini’s Turandot? In the original score, the celebrated B natural in Vincero! (I will win!) wasn’t composed as a fermata. Generations of tenors have marked this musical encounter as a combat d’honneur, holding the pitch ad infinitum. But all heard Jessica and Sarah challenge the Pavarotti preeiminence, allowing them to sing “Abbiamo vinto,” “we won!“
Another form of competition took place when Sarah demanded a rematch from last year’s duelling divas. This year the weapon of choice was Juliet’s Waltz from Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet. The ladies roamed the audience, hissing out operatic parries and repostes. The votes are still being tabulated, but the contest seemed pretty much a draw.
Selections from Joe Greene, aka Giuseppe Verdi, gave the ‘girls backup, made up of students from WTAMU’s opera program, a time to shine. Their numbers included the “Hebrews Hymn” from the opera Nabuco and the popular “Anvil Chorus” from Il Trovatore. The first work, “Va pensiero,” “fly thoughts on your golden wings,” prompted a dramatic audience reaction at the premier, and has been designated as the unoffical anthem of the Italian Risorgimento. The debate sifting the apocryphal from the nationalist context is ongoing.
And, in lieu of anvils, the chorus used a cowbell. That substitution didn’t in the least diminish the student’s voices, many already delivering a professional quality.
The ladies concluded with two versions of Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen’s and George Frideric Handel. The first was moving and melodic, equal in supplication and affirmation. The second, the annointed canticle of Christmas and Easter, was upbeat, joyous and tripartite. The clapping from the attendees during the singing showed the rendition resonated with the audience.
And, why not? It was the same message with no less impact, and just exactly what the Opera Cowgirls do the same to opera, with no diminution to the ultimate and most complete art form.
We love the Opera Cowgirls and feel privileged every time they return. But, here in Cowboy Country we also love our opera. October 7 the Amarillo Opera performed Tosca at the Globe News Center. The Metropolitan Opera in HD begins soon and this next spring WTAMU will perform Cosi fan Tutte.
That’s not what one expects from the Comancheria. Which is why we say, from a lofty position of quality culture:
Keep Amarillo Artsy!
Keep Austin Weird!
Keep Lubbock in the Rear View Mirror!!!!
Keep Amarillo Artsy 