Some say young people do not appreciate good opera anymore. Maybe that's because many think of fat men and women wailing at the top of their lungs in indecipherable Italian. James Westman proved this stereotype wrong Jan. 25 at Slee Concert Hall.
Westman's baritone voice sounded polished and smooth as he gave the second to last performance of Slee Hall's Visiting Artist Series. It was refreshing to hear this male opera singer sing not only in perfect German and Italian, but English.
As a performer, Westman lacked nothing. He kept things interesting with more than just his voice, captivating the audience with his delivery of beautiful music, coupled with dramatic emotion borne of body movement and facial expressions.
Westman began his performance with the sad and beautiful "Come Away, Come Away, Death" from Shakespeare's "Let us garlands bring, Op. 18." As soon as the man opened his mouth, he did justice to Slee Hall's fabulous acoustics. His voice was so bold and beautiful, it was spine tingling.
Needless to say, Westman's range was very impressive. He moved across the range of music with remarkable skill, quickly making transitions from piece to piece, each one having its own unique sound and character.
Rather than having only a few long pieces, Westman further circumvented Operatic stereotype by performing approximately 10 short pieces. His perfect showcase of material made sure Westman was constantly able to match his audience's mood.
Literary buffs would appreciate this performance as well, with many of the pieces derived from famous authors such as William Shakespeare and Paul Morand. Westman even included the ever-popular "Drinking Song" - humorously appropriate for a Saturday night at UB, which ranked among the Princeton Review's top 5 for party schools.
Although young, Westman's resume is impressive. Originally from Stratford, Ontario, he has been singing professionally since the age of 11. He was a baritone-in-residence with the San Francisco Opera and has also performed the famous La Triviata with the 1998 Western Opera Theatre Tour. Formally a successful boy soprano, Westman toured with the American Boy's Choir, the Paris Boy's Choir, and the Vienna Boy's Choir.
Westman was the first boy ever to perform the fourth movement of Mahler's "Symphony No. 4" and toured this work with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, East and West Germany, and Russia. As if that wasn't enough, Westman is also credited for studying with such renowned artists as Dame Joan Sutherland and Paul Esswood.
Westman is an obviously talented singer with an impressive past and an even brighter future. Upcoming plans for Westman include his first Posa in Verdi's "Don Carlo" in Austria and will return to the Canadian Opera Company as Sharpless in "Madame Butterfly." Westman also plans to return to the San Francisco Opera and later make his debut at the San Diego Opera.
There is a saying that when it comes to opera, there is no in between, you either love it or hate it. But James Westman delivered a performance that was pleasant, not just for opera lovers, but for every music enthusiast.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
