La Belle Époque comes to life through music, Colorado Springs history

Plus, in the Gallery at Louisa: It’s a Wild Life: wildlife art by Ray Shaw

Everyone remembers the great turn-of-the-last-century diva Jennie Macmillan, right? No, you say? That’s because Jennie, reported to be the most famous and beloved American singer of her age, is the fictional creation of soprano Judeth Shay Burns and writer/producer David Sckolnik. A combination of non-fiction divas Mary Garden, Geraldine Farrar and Lillian Russell, the imaginary Jennie will present a concert of songs from La Belle Époque, while imparting a bit of Colorado Springs history.
The concert will be held Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the Louisa Performing Arts Center at The Colorado Springs School. A showing of wildlife paintings by Ray Shaw begins at 5:00 in the Gallery at Louisa with an artist’s reception. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens and can be reserved by calling 475-9747 x110 or purchased at the door.

The collaboration between Sckolnik and Burns was inspired by the upcoming celebration of the 100th birthday of The Colorado Springs School’s signature building.

The stage setting for the program is the newly-completed Claremont (now known as the Trianon), the palatial home of Jennie’s friends Charles and Virginia Baldwin. The real-life house will reach its 100th birthday in 2007, and this program is the kick-off to a year of activities to celebrate the occasion. “I sat down with Judy trying come up with something special we could bring to her recital,” said Sckolnik, “and then it hit me right between the eyes: we could create an ideal vehicle for her to show off her great talent while creating the perfect kick-off to next year’s Trianon Centenary. We are already planning on having Judy perform all during next year’s celebration!”

Pianist Mary Beth Shaffer will accompany Burns, portraying performing Mrs. O’Connor, Jennie’s full time pianist and coach. “I’ve never had so much fun on stage in my life,” says Burns. “I’ve been able to create a character right out of my own personality and she feels very real to me. It has been fascinating to be essentially ‘living’ in a time when opera singers were all the rage— bigger than Madonna, Maria Carey and Christina Aguilera combined!” Saundra Bouchie, CSS’ Middle and Upper School drama instructor, will perform the role of the Baldwins’ maid, Sylvia.

In the gallery, internationally recognized wildlife artist Ray Shaw will show a collection of wildlife paintings and sculptures. Drawing on his experiences as a youth caring for wounded birds of prey, Shaw has become one of the most well-known wildlife artists in the world. When he was only 18 years old, the relatively young United States Air Force Academy purchased one of his peregrine falcon paintings for its library collection. Ray's paintings are rated in the top 100 in the nation for the "Arts in the Parks" competition and his works have been included in nationwide museum tours.
Today, Ray paints mostly for collectors of wildlife art and has been a major donator for many conservation programs. Ray has a deep appreciation for wildlife and its habitat, and expresses this through his works of art.

The Colorado Springs School is a Preschool through 12th Grade day school that combines a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with experience-based teaching to create a passion for learning in students. Small classes and excellent teachers create learning opportunities that engage, challenge, and excite students.

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