AT THE STATUE OF VENUS REVIEWS

At the brilliant center of the evening, Heggie’s operatic scene “At the Statue of Venus”, originally commissioned by Opera Colorado, was enormously entertaining and frequently touching in its exploration of the familiar uncertainty attendant on meeting someone new, the “blind date horrors.” A brilliant libretto by Terrence McNally is set to music by Heggie that is instantly accessible. Hints of great American theater music bubble to the surface from time to time, evoking the works of Gershwin, Bernstein and Sondheim in complex rhythms, high energy and emotional effect.

- Richard Storm, Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Oct. 10, 2006)

The most significant event on the gala program was the world premiere of “At the Statue of Venus” by Jake Heggie, now one of America’s most popular composers. Commissioned by Opera Colorado for this event, this “musical scene” is a 22-minute interior monologue by a young woman waiting for a blind date at an art museum. Although an example of advanced composition, “Statue,” wonderfully sung and acted by rising start Kristin Clayton, is as accessible as cabaret. Text for the work is by Terrence McNally.

Wes Blomster, The Boulder Daily Camera