'Vissi d'arte': Gardner Treats Opera Guild to 'Tosca' Aria at Luncheon

Soprano Jill Gardner, left, the female lead in the Toledo Opera's "Tosca,"
visits with Judith Conda at the opera guild luncheon at Inverness.

Soprano Jill Gardner may have been pleading to God as to why she has found herself -- or, rather, her character Tosca in Puccini's same-titled opera -- in such a tangled web of political and romantic intrigue, but the members and guests of the Toledo Opera Guild certainly would have offered prayers of divine gratitude for such a lovely performance.

Gardner, star of the Toledo Opera's upcoming "Tosca" production, sang the aria from Act II at the guild luncheon Wednesday at Inverness Club, with Kevin Bylsma accompanying on piano. Visit the guild's Facebook page to view a video.

"The Italians truly believe in destiny," Gardner said prior to the solo, describing Tosca's pleas to God that a lifelong service to humanity and love of art ("Vissi d'arte") should have protected her from the torture of her lover and an indecent proposal from a corrupt police chief.

"Nell'ora del dolore, perché, perché, Signore, perché me ne rimuneri così?" she sings, which means: "In this hour of grief, why, why, Lord, why do you reward me thus?"

The audience certainly will be rewarded by Gardner's amazing voice and those of a stellar cast in the Oct. 10 and 12 performances of "Tosca." Visit the Toledo Opera's website for more information and tickets. Read more about Gardner's biography on her site.

Gardner has been immersed in Puccini roles lately, but her portrayal of Tosca in Toledo will be a special one for her. Verismo soprano Diana Soviero, her mentor and current teacher, opened the Valentine Theatre in the same role years ago.

"It makes me cry even thinking about it," Gardner said.

The opera singer emphasized how important it is to study with a good teacher if one wants a successful and fulfilling career.

"What makes us as musicians is teachers," she said.

Gardner advises young students to be patient, especially with their voices as they will develop and mature over time. She encourages people who may be interested in becoming an opera performer to work on musicianship, to study the history of opera and its impact on Western culture, and to become fluent in other languages.

She also counsels prospective music students to secure their education with as minimal debt as possible, including attending community colleges for regular coursework before pursuing music credits at another school.

"You have to be so much more creative now to figure out how to do this," she said.

Gardner lives in North Carolina with husband Jake, who also is an opera singer. The bass-baritone and soprano have performed "Tosca" roles together before.

"We work out a lot of things in the second act," Gardner joked, swinging her fist around.

Cindy Niggemyer, left, sporting a diamond tiara, chats with
Joyce Stenberg at the luncheon.

The opera guild was delighted to be joined by Gardner at the luncheon. Hostess Barbara Baker, who serves as third vice president on the executive board, decorated the tables with scattered gems and bottles of wine that will be for sale at the upcoming Diamonds and Denim fall fundraising event.

Attendees dined on delectable tomato soup with tender chunks of carrots and onion, fluffy quiche studded with asparagus and spinach paired with green beans almondine, and a fall-is-finally-here slice of pumpkin pie graced with fresh whipped cream and a velvety roll of white chocolate.

Guild president Cindy Niggemyer -- thematically bedecked in glittering diamond jewelry and tiara with a denim skirt and blue gloves -- distributed new membership booklets and joked that her attire didn't seem that extraordinary to guild members.

"It's opera!" Bylsma quipped.