Singer Dawn Upshaw takes back the stage

Health crisis gives soprano perspective, 'new appreciation'

By Marc Shulgold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 11, 2008 at 7 p.m.

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What a nice month for nice singers. This weekend, Dawn Upshaw graces the Boettcher Hall stage in season-opening concerts with the Colorado Symphony. On Sept. 26, Frederica von Stade graces the stage of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

That tired old diva myth just doesn't apply to these two beloved American artists. They're real, earthbound people, sharing life's ups and downs like the rest of us.

Particularly Upshaw, who has seen more than her share of life's downs in recent years.

In 2003, the soprano was forced to scrap a year's worth of concerts when her vocal cords became horribly inflamed. Then, in November 2006, she canceled three months of performances when she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.

"It was interesting to go through something like that," she said without any drama. "All along, you say, 'I know it will be fine.' But . . . "

She's happy to report there has been no "but." Upshaw emerged from chemotherapy and surgery "feeling great," she said.

Press reports proclaim that she looks and sounds as lovely as ever, last month triumphing in the U.S. premiere (delayed a year due to her illness) of Kaija Saariaho's oratorio La Passion de Simone in New York City.

The New York Times called the soprano's performance "compelling," her singing "beyond beautiful" - descriptions fans have come to expect with Upshaw.

Her health crisis, she says, gave her healthy perspective.

"All along, I wanted to know who I really am if I can't sing," she says. "Sometimes, beautiful things can come out of an experience like that. I got perspective and a new appreciation."

Upshaw, who has long been juggling career with parenthood, finds herself more focused on being a stay-at-home mom as her children grow. "One (of the children) is in college, the other's in eighth grade. I find that I'm not as interested in being away from them.

"It used to be that about one-third of my time would be spent in (staged) opera, but that's decreased quite a bit recently. But I do love singing it, and I've sung a lot. It is the most incredible experience, and I'm happy to take it on. Just not as much these days."

As glimpsed in her performances of the Saariaho oratorio, Upshaw retains her commitment to new music. She gained international fame through her recording of Gorecki's Third Symphony and in works by Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov.

"I'm so moved by the music that he writes," she said.

Their collaboration resulted in the opera Ainadamar and the well-received CD Oceana and will continue with Golijov's Schubert song settings, which she'll perform in St. Paul, Minn., and in a set of songs for the soprano and pianist Emanuel Ax.

But then, Upshaw's tastes run all over the map. Her program with the CSO this weekend includes a Verdi aria, a Mozart concert aria (with Jeffrey Kahane at the piano), Rodgers and Hart, and some Gershwin and Vernon Duke.

"I grew up with a lot of music theater," she said. "It wasn't until college where I zeroed in on my (classical) singing."

Her repertory, like her personality, comes naturally, she said.

"Sure, there are those (singers) who are demanding of attention, but that can be exciting, too. Some of them feel that's what their audience wants." But for the most part, American sopranos such as Von Stade and Renee Fleming aren't into that Old World haughty-diva image.

Says Upshaw: "We're just being who we are."

Colorado Symphony

* When and where: 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Boettcher Hall, 14th and Curtis streets

* Cost: $15 to $73

* Information: 303-623-7876

* Of note: Dawn Upshaw is soloist with Jeffrey Kahane, the CSO and the CSO Chorus in music as diverse as opera, Broadway and pops.

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