[With permission of Editor of Oxford Eagle; October 21, 2005 issue, page 1.]
Local singing star to be featured in Opera
Memphis:
Biblical story's acting demands are newest challenge for
musical savant
By Lucy Schultze
Staff Writer
It was just on a whim that Howard Lenhoff and his daughter
Gloria stepped into the Opera Memphis office several months
ago.
The office was across the street from the synagogue where
she'd been studying cantorial singing. Spotting it, Lenhoff
had the notion the opera might be interested in partnering
with them for a fund-raising event.
Instead, the artistic director liked what he heard so much
that within two weeks he'd cast Gloria in the chorus for
this fall's season opener, "Samson & Dalila."
The performance next weekend will mark another milestone
for the 50-year-old Williams Syndrome musical savant, who
was simply a "mildly retarded" child until her parents
noticed her remarkable musical abilities and began to
nurture them.
Her career has since included performances across the
country, everywhere from convalescent homes to concert
halls.
Though she cannot read music or live alone, her rare gift
of absolute pitch and keen ability to hear and memorize
music have earned her fame. She's been interviewed on "60
Minutes" and National Public Radio, and starred in a 1988
documentary about her life.
Now she'll count portraying both downtrodden Hebrews and
reveling Philistines among her experiences.
"She's performed with big orchestras but has never done any
acting," Lenhoff said of his daughter's new role as a
chorus member. "This is a whole new challenge."
Blending in
 |
Gloria Lenhoff (4th left front) & the Opera Memphis Chorus. (Opera Memphis photo) |
Michael Ching, artistic director for Opera Memphis, knew
that Howard and Sylvia Lenhoff were both excited and
ambivalent about their daughter's newest opportunity.
"Singing in a concert is one thing," Ching said. "But
actually functioning on a stage with stage direction is
another."
So Gloria was partnered with an experienced fellow chorus
member as a guide and mentor during rehearsals. Ching also
figured that even if she stood out, it was plausible that
the two conflicting communities they were portraying may
have had people like Gloria in their midst.
As it turns out, her uniqueness hasn't been a problem.
"I think she blends in so effectively, it would be very
hard to notice that there is someone up there who is a
little different from the others," Ching said.
"She doesn't miss any cues and knows all her music. I hope
we can find a way for her to be part of the opera again."
"Specially abled"
The Lenhoffs came to
Oxford from southern California in 2001, when they moved
Gloria to a new home at the Baddour Center for mentally
retarded adults in Senatobia.
Gloria sang with the center's well-know group, The
Miracles, before moving on to provide solo performances for
visitors to the center at the request of the development
office.
Her condition, Williams Syndrome, was identified in 1961 by cardiologist J.C.P. Williams, but Gloria wasn't diagnosed until 1988. Those with the syndrome share common traits including a keen facility with language (Gloria sings in 30 different ones), and many also have absolute pitch and perfect rhythm.
Since coming to the
Oxford area, Gloria has found many local fans and performed
in several concerts, also serving as an assistant cantor
under Don Kartiganer at the Congregation B'Nai Israel in
Tupelo.
For piano instructor Diane Wang, who performed with Gloria
in her 50th-birthday concert last February, the attraction
has as much to do with the singer's personality as with her
musical gifts.
"In my mind, she's actually 'specially abled' - not
disabled," Wang said.
Fans admire her courage
Gloria's fans, Wang said, admire her courage to
perform as well as the childlike openness which she shares
with others who have Williams Syndrome.
"She's genuinely open, caring and warm, with absolutely no
dishonesty," Wang said. "That in itself is something truly
inspirational. She has so much more than what many of us
have."
-lucyschultze@oxfordeagle.com
