I was there to see Greenon graduate Jennifer Townshend, who had the lead in Cosi fan tutte, an opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It was to be sung entirely in Italian.
While I waited for the curtain to rise, I marveled at the Mediterranean revival style architecture of this impressive historical theater, and I thought about how this young lady had worked so hard to be here.
I have known Jenny for many years. Our girls were friends with the Townshend kids at Greenon, shared the stage multiple times, and were lifeguards at pools together in Fairborn and at Wright-Patterson. And we were also friends with her parents, Sam and Peggy Townshend.
While growing up, Jenny was always musically inclined. She excelled in music in school with music teachers Mrs. Grey at Hustead and Loyd Stigers at Indian Valley and Greenon. She was in show choir and many musical productions in high school.
Outside of school, Jenny was in the Ohio Lyric Theater of Springfield Children’s Chorus, directed by Treva Thorsen. Her private piano teacher was Ida Lubke of Enon, and Sherry Scott was her first private voice teacher. Mark Jones became her voice teacher after Scott’s untimely death and had an important influence on her.
“He sang with the Dayton Opera and was the first person to tell me I should sing opera,” said Jenny.
Of course, we all knew she would study music in college.
When she went to Capitol University, she majored in vocal performance with an emphasis in musical theater and opera, and with a minor in French.
It was at this time I had a peek at the greatness in her future. The last time I heard Jenny sing, she was visiting the French class at Greenon. One of the students asked if she could sing something in French. Without hesitation or accompaniment Jenny sang an aria, a lengthy expressive operatic solo. We listened in amazement.
At the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, she received a master’s of music in voice performance. Then Jenny moved to New York City. I knew she worked many different jobs to pay her rent, continued to study voice and was well received in a variety of productions.
When I found out Jenny was to have lead in an opera in Sarasota, we adjusted the schedule of our trip to Florida so I could attend. I felt I had to go.
I bought the last available cheap seat in the balcony, second row from the back. Those sitting just a few rows in front of me were paying $125 a seat. I learned first-hand why this opera house is legendary. The Sarasota Opera does not have any bad seats. The view and the acoustics were perfect. And I had a good view of the projection of the English translation above the stage.
Once the luxurious curtain was raised, I could not believe how beautiful the set and costuming was. When Jenny took the stage in her ornate blue gown and wig, I became an opera fan. I also realized I had to now refer to her as Jennifer or Miss Townshend.
Now, I’m not praising her performance just because she is the grown-up kid from Enon. I truly had a feeling that her performance was going really well.
I decided to watch how others reacted to her voice. The opera-loving couple I met at the intermission was already talking about her wonderful voice before I began to chat with them. I knew she was great when the lady next to me cried during Jennifer’s aria in the second act. She actually cried.
Many members of the audience were on their feet at Jennifer’s curtain call shouting “Bravo.” Her reviewers agreed.
Once the winter opera season is over in Sarasota, Miss Townshend will return to New York City.
“NYC will bring back my (three) day jobs and any auditions I can get in hopes of singing again someday, somewhere. It’s a constant anxiety, but I am hopeful that someday the hard work will pay off,” she said.
I have a feeling that her years of serious study will be greatly rewarded.
Jennifer Townshend is a Clark County success story. Her musical training began with local music teachers just like the ones who still teach our children.
Our community should be proud that her musical training began here within our schools and community. I hope that our music and art programs continue to be a strong vital force in our schools, community and private endeavors. Our music and art programs deserve our support.
Music gives us such hope, and the world could use more beautiful arias.
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