Foster Jenkins

And now - ladies and gentlemen - as an intermezzo - I present to you a "real classical" album just for art's sake and LOL.

A short bio of Madame Jenkins appears in a wonderful book called "American Eccentrics" by Carl Sifakis. It explains the history (or is it hysteria?) of this most maligned and misunderstood of American coloraturas. The most telling of anecdotes regarding M. Jenkins is that she was riding in a New York taxi that crashed. She was going to sue the taxi company until she discovered that she could sing ". . .a higher F than ever before…". Need I say more? Apparently, she sent the cabbie a box of expensive cigars as a thank-you.
The staff of a classical section of a large CD store in New York City regularly puts on this recording about 15 minutes to closing. They inevitably get several "what the hell is that" questions, a sale or two, and clear out the rest of the patrons in short order - most of them shaking their heads in disbelief.
The "Queen of the Night" aria from Mozart's Magic Flute is, well, magical (sort of). One is never quite sure to cringe or duck as she squawks her way to the high note at the end.

A great party CD - but………. make sure your guests have had at least five stiff drinks first !!!!!!. And - in case you survived this breath taking album - please, let me have your review in the comments the next day (after you killed your hang-over) !!!!!

The story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice.

The story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice.

The story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice.