"The Farewell of Telemachus and Eucharist" (detail of heads), Jacques-Louis David, 1818. When I first saw this image I assumed that both figures were young women, but after finding a photo of the entire painting I realized that they are, in fact, a woman and a man. In addition to the exquisite facial expressions that so beautifully capture my own sense of loss, and the gorgeous colors, I’m very drawn to the blurred gender identities of these figures.
Dear Altos and Sopranos,
After singing with and among you for thirty-plus years of choral music making, the time has come for me to say “goodbye” to you. It’s also time for me to bid a final adieu to the idea of being physically able to sing the notes that you can sing so beautifully and with such ease. While I’ve sung alto for most of my adult life, when I was younger I moved between alto and soprano, and in the last few years have returned to the soprano section, on occasion. So this letter is for all of you, for all of us.
After singing with and among you for thirty-plus years of choral music making, the time has come for me to say “goodbye” to you. It’s also time for me to bid a final adieu to the idea of being physically able to sing the notes that you can sing so beautifully and with such ease. While I’ve sung alto for most of my adult life, when I was younger I moved between alto and soprano, and in the last few years have returned to the soprano section, on occasion. So this letter is for all of you, for all of us.
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