Kathleen Keske, Soprano

Letters of Recommendation

To whom it may concern:

Please accept this as a letter of recommendation for soprano Kathleen Keske. She may use this letter at her discretion.

I have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Keske as pianist, coach and conductor since the fall of 1990. She sang the role of Leonore in our 1996 fall production of Fidelio with the Anchorage Opera. It was a supreme pleasure and joy collaborating with Ms. Keske as conductor. She sang Leonore with such commitment, courage and truth - she was an unqualified success.

Ms. Keske is a totally committed artist. She invests every coaching, rehearsal and performance with painstaking patience and respect of every detail and nuance - musically and psychologically. We spent many hours last fall slowly working through every moment of Leonore - this type of work is tough, but she thrives on this "disciplined learning" - her performances were a true testament to this work ethic. She has developed a beautiful and sensuous spinto soprano which is appropriate for both German and Italian repertoire; and, once again, she is totally committed to the "process."

Sincerely,

Stephen Sulich/Music Director/Anchorage Opera

(signed) 7.7.97

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Soprano Kathleen Keske appeared with Anchorage Opera in its concert version of Beethoven's Fidelio in the fall of 1996. We were delighted with her performance, and the audience and critics were delighted as well.

I found that she approached her work in an entirely professional and intelligent manner. She was thoroughly prepared and her German diction was excellent.

I would not hesitate to employ her again in the future.

Sincerely yours,

[signed]

Peter H. Brown
General Director

Kathleen Keske sang under my direction throughout a seven-week production of Britten's Albert Herring at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut.

Kathleen is a superb musician possessing a beautiful voice: expressive, glorious color and sensitive in her vocal expression. She is a wonderful actress and a magnificent ensemble performer.

I enjoyed working with her and recommend her without reservation.

Cordially,

[signed]

Murry Sidlin
Music Director/Conductor, New Haven Symphony Orchestra
Music Director/Conductor, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra
Conductor-in-Residence, Aspen Music Festival