Stevens

Hey, if RCA can reDiscover Leontyne & Bjoerling, then I can reDiscover “The Original 1962 Studio Cast Recording” of Kurt Weill’s “Lady in the Dark” starring Risë Stevens as the Lady, glamorously reissued on CD by Columbia Heritage Vocal Series. In a big way. I’ve had it for ten years, listened to it once, hated it, never touched it since. Until today. Now I “get” it, big-time, and Risë too. Something I didn’t a decade ago, which says something about where I am, where I was, and where I’ve been. But I’ve never been to me, or reDiscovered me either, for that matter. Have you?

Did you know that “Lady In The Dark” has never been revived? No doubt it’s due, in part, to that darn “Tchaikowsky” song. WHO could manage to get through that today? I certainly can’t, and I’ve been trying all night — and I even know who all those names are! My neighbors must think I’m speaking in tongues. I bet even Maestro Valery Gergiev couldn’t get through the song without flubbing — and Russian IS his native tongue. Still, I think they SHOULD revive “Lady” — and soon — with Renee Fleming in the title role. The girl of the moment, the princess of pure delight, the greatest show on earth would, no doubt, be in Weill heaven as jazz-mistressy Missy Liza Elliott, if those dreams didn’t discombobulate her inner voice first, that is. Still, that’s MY glamour dream — and I’m sticking to it. Surely the Saga of Jenny is the Saga of every 21st-century soccer mom / super woman / Carrie Bradshaw wannabe. If not, oh well, it’s never too late to Mendelssohn, especially if John Reardon’s leading.

“The glamorous setup for the cover was prepared by the director of the photo session. I took several gowns of my own. Once there, I said to myself, ‘Now wait a minute. I think I am going to put on this gown and drape a large scarf around me, and do a caricature of this person as I see her.’ So I posed, and to my very great suprise, of all the photographs that were taken, that was the one chosen” - Risë Stevens. Liner Notes.

I’ve chosen it too, Risë. For next opening night at the Met. I’ll stop traffic with my caricature. I hope I don’t stop you too. Keep on truckin, Lady Risë. Even if you ARE The Last Prima Donna, don’t make me the Lanfranco Rasponi of the new millennium. Please.