Kathleen Battle

Ms Battle was magnificent, amazing and outstanding. There are really not enough superlatives to describe her performance, her professionalism and her ability to acknowledge and share the stage with everyone she worked with. She is truly an outstanding individual. The Glee Clubs of Spelman and Morehouse were talented and exceptional and of course the ASO and guest conductor were amazing as they always are, no different on this night. Once again, extraordinary evening for us here in Atlanta

The Art of The Negro Spiritual=>Los Angeles, UCLA, Saturday night. Resounding wonderfully..especially when a cappella... Kathleen BATTLE,Jazz Pianist Cyrus CHESTNUT and the legendary Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers with Dr Mc Neil@90 years young.... offered a terrific night to remember. To hear Kathleen Battle.... a cappella in 2012... as luminous as her legendary 1990 Carnegie Hall concert with Jessye Norman was truly an experience I will remember for years... On a personal note, it was my third time to hear her in Southern California since 1994. Each time was a golden memory. The first was a presentation of The Philharmonic Society of Orange County at Segestram Hall, the second at The Cerritos Center. I have met Ms Battle each time back stage..... and she was then and on Saturday night..... so so gracious.... I was fortunate to be in the company of a composer/arranger friend of Ms. Battle, Jacqueline Hairston, whose arrangements Ms. Battle featured. Ms. Battle sang Fix Me Jesus, which our mutual friend, countertenor Darryl Taylor will sing at the very special Carnegie Hall event on Feb 19th showcasing the gifted arrangements of Jacqueline Hairston .cousin of the legendary, Jester Hairston and 300 singers from churches nationwide who will create this historic moment. Like many of her loyal fans who came out in droves, I am so proud of her to continue to SHINE so brilliantly. Kathleen Battle will always be a very special jewel for me...as she was for my late parents, Reverend John Nelson Doggett and Frances Doggett.

I saw her live in Los Angeles and she was AMAZING!!!! I had front row seats. I've never experienced anything like that performance in my life! God Bless you Ms. Battle! I wish I knew about you sooner!

Thank you for bringing Ms. Battle and the McNeil Singers to UCLA live. It was a wonderful event. The event timing was perfect, as it was planned for the Saturday following MLK, Jr. day.

Saw her at the Blue Note in June with Cyrus Chestnut and was floored. This woman is fantastic, the range of repertoire she has and the ability to make music...spell binding. High of the night, the Encore Lush life. She took her audience to the seat of a woman's broken heart. Well done KB. I will travel for you any time!

An amazing, engaging performance. Her voice is still fantastic, and her interaction with the audience made for an unforgettable experience. Her pianist was equally amazing.

Ms. Battle has a beautiful voice and her pianist Cyrus Chestnut has great playing soul, but the whole show was one tempo and therefore seemed long. With her talent, she is capable of a much more varied program and would do well to have better rapport or connection with the audience. Only three or four numbers did justice to her wonderful talent.

Very disapppointing. Demonstrated neither range nor technique. Performance very one dimensional. Left the stage after every other piece - prolonging the performance to over 2 hours - but very little content. She spent more time staring at the accompanist as he played rather than actually singing. The Met was right to fire her if this is the best she can do.

KB WAS TERRIBLE. STERILE. NO CONNECTION . SHE AND HER PIANIST WERE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO GET THE MUSIC RIGHT. MISSED SONGS ON THE PROGRAM. REPEATED SONGS, WALKED OFF THE STAGE BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH A PHONE. NOT CHRISTMAS,NOT JOY FULL. JUST TERRIBLE

I was so excited to see Kathleen Battle in concert; I own her CD, *Grace,* and love it. I figured all of that diva stuff was just rumors. Well, she started out with a lacklustre performance, and, at one point, she actually left stage in a huff because someone had the audacity to take a picture. I understand that this is distracting, but the rest of us all paid good money to see this concert, and it was extremely disrespectful to her audience. The second half of the concert was better, and she did put up an amazing performance of "Santa Baby..." Her voice is still one of the most beautiful I've ever heard, but it's too bad that her personality doesn't match.

I was so excited to see Kathleen Battle in concert; I own her CD, *Grace,* and love it. I figured all of that diva stuff was just rumors. Well, she started out with a lacklustre performance, and, at one point, she actually left stage in a huff because someone had the audacity to take a picture. I understand that this is distracting, but the rest of us all paid good money to see this concert, and it was extremely disrespectful to her audience. The second half of the concert was better, and she did put up an amazing performance of "Santa Baby..." Her voice is still one of the most beautiful I've ever heard, but it's too bad that her personality doesn't match.

Kathleen Battle's performance in Charleston was magnificent. With her operatic performances few and far between these days, I did not think I would ever again have the opportunity to see Ms. Battle perform live. Not only was it worth the price, it was an experience that will remain with me for quite some time to come. She performed a wide range of classics, spirituals and carols. She coaxed emotion and nuance out of every note and exhibited a range of scale and sound that took full advantage of the great acoustics of the concert hall. Unfortunately, she did have to stop during the middle of one piece to confront someone taking a cell phone movie (people, seriously, LISTEN to the requests before the show and TURN THEM OFF!), but she was gracious enough to come back out and repeat that song as well as the one that had preceded it. Her pianist, Cyrus Chestnut, is a highly talented performer in his own right, and took great pleasure in his opportunities to showcase his talents during solos and transitions. In some cases, this led to a bit of pause in his reaction to Ms. Battle's directional signals, but for the most part he responded quickly and seamlessly to her requests. I would recommend this concert, and any Kathleen Battle performance for that matter, to any fan of opera, spirituals or good music in general.

The show was overall enjoyable. But Ms. Battle's singing was a bit disappointing. She is showing her age and decline.

Ms Battle was superb. Her voice better than ever. She worked long and hard. Angela Bassett \u2018s narration was great. Pianist was phenomenal. Venue beautiful but website map not very accurate for seating.

Kathleen Battle is my favorite soprano and I looked forward to hearing her sing for many months. However, the concert started 35 minutes late, which was disappointing as I have never been to a concert which started more than 10 minutes late, except when it s due to inclement weather or traffic accidents. Ms. Battle s singing was wonderful and so was the choir. However, I would have enjoyed the concert more if she sung some of her sigature solo pieces from her albums. In any event, it was wonderful seeing Ms. Battle perform live and it was a treat!

The online order strongly suggested arriving on time, because the show would start promptly and no late arrivals would be seated. The show started several minutes after the start time, however. People started clapping to get Ms. Battle out on to the stage. She and the local choir performers all had amazing voices. However, it seemed as though she and the choir hadn't practiced working together before. It was as if the first time they saw each other was when the performance started. There were a few mistakes with singers starting at the wrong time. Ms. Battle continuously motioned to the choir with her hand to either begin or stop. It was obvious to the audience, and made it unprofessional. Ms. Battle spoke only once to the audience, but her voice was so quiet it was very hard to hear her. She said this next song was one that she and the choir hadn't rehearsed, so she took the next several minutes conducting a practice session with them, and then they all sang the song. As I mentioned above, to me it seemed as though the entire list of songs hadn't been rehearsed together before, not just that one. Ms. Battle wore a too-long shawl that kept slipping down. She fussed with it all night. It was distracting. After all the performances she's done, I would thing she would have her wardrobe correct. These annoying events had nothing to do with the supreme quality of her voice, of course, and that part of the evening was sublime.

When the event actually started, it was wonderful; but it was delayed starting for a half hour with no explanation to the audience for the delay. Beside s Battle s still extraordinary voice, her piano accompanist was outstanding as well as the dramatic narration of Angela Basset. The back up choir was great too. Unfortunately, the venue is problematic with the parking at a huge distance, somewhat mitigated by the shuttle and it has very poor signage, again mitigated by ushers around to help. I am not eager to return to this venue. Finally, to make a big deal about starting on time and late comers will not be permitted to enter and starting so late, with no apology is highly hypocritical!

Outstanding! She gave the audience so much more than what we paid for. An additional two songs. multiple spoken sessions. Insight into the music. Constantly engaging the audience all thru the performance. Amazing!

We had so looked forward to this concert! It was a dream of ours to hear Kathleen Battle and we knew the concert would be extra special with the ASO, Morehead and Spelman glee clubs. The result...the glee clubs sang somewhat tentatively versus how they sing at concerts at the MLK Center. I did not see or hear the passion they usually imbue in a concert. Perhaps it was nerve-racking to sing with such a superstar. The symphony sounded great. They are consistent and always a joy to hear. Kathleen Battle barely be heard!! This was a HUGE disappointment. We sate Orchestra P, L. We've sat in this same zone and have never had a problem with hearing. I know that classically trained singers do not use mics. However, it seemed that Kathleen was unable to project, especially in her lower range. Or perhaps the overhead mics weren't picking her up or she had a cold or something. We could hear her pretty well when she soared with high notes and these sounded pure and heavenly.. This was the experience of the 3 people in our group. After the concert, during the encore when Kathleen stepped further back on stage to sing at the harp and with the choir, the sound was considerably better. We were so glad that we stayed for the encore. Overall we were left feeling short of our expectations. This was a letdown particularly because my 86 year old Mother-- who was living a bucket list item--truly got very little from the concert. She will not likely have this opportunity again in her lifetime.

I have had the pleasure of attending many of Ms.Battle s Concerts from Carnegie Hall, Atlanta to Tampa among other cities. I can truly say this is the first time that I notice Ms.Battle was having a GREAT time on stage! Everything appeared to be going great for her! Ms.Battle showed and gave LOVE to the audience and she received it back in abundance! She became more and more confident with each piece, after a while you could read in her face as though she was saying to herself I Got This,Y all and a WONDERFUL time was had by all! P.S. The Spelman College and Morehouse College Glee Clubs were also magnificent !!!!

Kathleen Battle brought such a high level of art and artistry to the stage I can hardly find words adequate to describe her voice and presence. This concert was magnificent if not magical. Battle s voice linked to the glee clubs of Morehouse and Spelman made for an utterly unforgettable evening that awed me and filled me with joy. Ms Battle was so kind and gracious to the students. What a marvelous opportunity of lifetime for them to perform with an artist of Battle s stature. Bravo to ASO and all who made this amazing program possible. Thank you!!!

The concert was great. The online seating chart at ASO is not clear that the back row of the dress circle is against a wall. Had I known that I would have most likely opted for a front row of the balcony. It was very difficult to hear Kathleen Battle. She was not mic'd - which might have been a good thing when she hit those top soprano notes, but the whole rest of the time made it hard to hear her. She stood at the very front of the stage and it must have been right at the edge of where the acoustics "work." The orchestra was great and the Spellman and Morehouse College glee clubs were excellent. Could hear them just fine, but they drowned her out - unless you were in the first couple of rows on the main floor. Overall the experience was wonderful. The narration that went along with the songs was excellent and I would recommend this event to others. I think my critique has more to do with the venue than the concert itself which is why this rated as a 3-star. I'd rate the concert 5 stars.

The program with Kathleen Battle, the ASO and the Morehouse and Spellman Glee Clubs was wonderful. More than just the music, it opened my eyes to the relationship between spirituals and giving directions for the Underground Railroad.

Great performance by Kathleen Battle, Spellman, Morehouse, ASO, and all involved.

***FYI- My nickname (Zero Stars Is My Rating) was created 4 years ago after an enormously disappointing experience at a Bruce Bruce concert in Albany, GA. We thought we were attending a clean, family-friendly comedy show which was not the case! Since then, I ve tried to change it, but I ve not been able to do so. Clearly, this nickname does NOT apply to Ms. Kathleen Battle, The ASO, or The Morehouse College and Spelman College glee clubs!!! They are EXCELLENT!!!*** The Kathleen Battle ensemble which chronicled the Underground Railroad abs featured The Morehouse College glee club and The Spelman College glee club was absolutely phenomenal!! It was a beautiful tribute to the plight of African-Americans and a true testament to our strength and fortitude as a people! It also highlighted that we are ONE family, each and every one of us, as children of God! We are brothers and sisters in Christ, and this supersedes race, socioeconomic status, and political party affiliation!!! Praise The Lord, and bravo to Ms. Kathleen Battle and the HBCU college glee clubs for such an excellent performance!!!! This show is a MUST-SEE for all!

Beautiful voice and Beautiful music. Mr. Chestnut wasn't always following Ms. Battle, and she mentioned their different backgrounds, but the concert was still beautiful.

Battle was a petulant diva, stopping the performance at one point to correct her accompanist. It apparently was more important to her to show she could dominate Mr Cleveland than to live up to her responsibility to entertain and transport the audience. What a shame. In this great venue, she missed the point.

Sad little recital. Cyrus was more on display then Kathleen. The choir could have been better integrated into the program. What a steep fall for Kathleen , a woman I really adored. I'm not angry,just sad,just sad. She seemed unfocused and amusing.

For those of us who went for the opportunity to hear Kathleen Battle, this event turned out to be that and much more. It was an impressive and carefully planned program of spirituals and the spoken words of Frederick Douglass. Ms. Battle never disappoints and with an inspiring pianist, Cyrus Chestnut, and the McNeil gospel chorus, there was a perfect blend, and each lovely in solo. Ross Hall is beautiful and their staff was beyond helpful. Last but not least, the enthusiastic audience felt warm and friendly.

Kathleen Battle remains a remarkable music gift to the world. It was thrilling to hear her versatility and depth of emotional conveyance of the genre. The pianist is well-groomed in his craft, but at times forgot that he was the accompanist. He is a fine jazz soloist and masterfully excels in that capacity, but his function as accompanist should have been more supportive. The choir was excellent and blended well with the soloist Overall, this was a superb evening of musical performance.

Ms Battle is stunning and her voice flawless. Unfortunately the lack of microphone use In a noisy concert hall resulted in a drowned Muddled gospel choir and über subdued rendition In operatic overtones of stunning spirituals.

Wonderful evening. Amazing and inspired singing and piano playing. Ms. Battle was superb, as was the choir and the pianist.

I am a long-time fan of Miss Battle. She is still in fine voice. Her emotional interpretation of the spirituals was compelling. The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers were also in top form. The jazz-oriented pianist, however, bothered me. The melding of the idioms simply did not work.I especially enjoyed (1)Lord, How Come Me Here with the plaintive, mournful humming dirge of the chorus accompanying Miss Battle, (2))the acapella offerings of Battle and chorus,(3)Balm in Gilead with Battle and the 4-part female harmony sextet. With Mr. Chestnut's playing, however, there were times when I had to wonder who was accompanying who? I have a video buried somewhere of Battle and Norman in joint spiritual presentation at Carnegie Hall. I don't recall whether there even was a piano, which is as it should be. He's Got the Whole World in HIs Hands was light-years away from Marian Anderson's interpretation many, many years ago. Mr. Chestnut's playing converted it to a pop-piece. That was unfortunate.

Ms. Battle needs to use a microphone. Her voice is beautiful but slight. There were too many mini intermissions when she went offstage for reasons unknown or the pianist went off stage to get her beverage. This was not amusing or professional. The choir carried the concert I would go anywhere to see them again

Kathleen Battle was wonderful. Her pianist, Mr. Carpenter was spectacular. He enhanced the program enormously, as did the Jubilee Choir.

This performance could/should have been a five star event. However it was apparent that the performers & audio technicians failed to perform a pre-performance sound check. The readings & voices of the Jubilee Singers were muffled and barely audible. Ms. Battles' voice was beautiful but muffled, the lyrics barely discernable. Those factors notwithstanding, Mr Chestnut's performance was outstanding and the piano audio of excellent quality.

The pianist Cyrus Chestnut spoiled my mood for anything spiritual with his overpowering banging on the piano. The dissonant chords , change of beat, and often overwhelming the tune compleatly, did not contribute anything to the concert from my perspective. I did enjoy her (Battle) voice (dispite the fact I was on the right of the stage, and could not hear very well as she mainly sang to the piano player, and people on that side of the hall), and I very much enjoyed L.A. s Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers. When it was just Battle, and the Jubilee Singers, it was heaven--they didn't need a piano at all, especially not an out-of-place-clanger like Mr. Chestnut, played.

Kathleen Battle's perfomance was enchanting and delightful. I regret not inviting friends to the performance. The singers/pianist who accompanied her on stage added to her performance, and added value. I sincerely felt the price I paid for admission was well worth it when I left Royce. I can't always say this when I leave the Music Center Downtown.

I had huge expectation coming to the show because of Ms. Battle's reputation. I was disappointed and thought it was unacceptable that she was using a music stand and read and shuffled papers throughout the program. There were signs especially during the first half of the program that she & Mr. Chestnut were not sure about the repertoire or order of the line-up. Having a break during the program to get Ms. Battle's water was unprofessional at their level. This happened twice! You can expect this for artists of lesser stature and not at UCLA Live. I was really surprised because of the caliber of these two giant artists. I thought that the whole act was under prepared. There was a part where the choir missed their time to come after Mr. Chestnut's (granted) grand and can be confusing piano solo. Given the above, no one can deny the beauty and rarity of Ms. Battles instrument. Her interpretation of the material when she was not reading from the music sheets was impeccable. For her mid and high voice (one of a kind!) we could clearly hear her from the back but for her low notes it was challenging. I believe it would be more effective if there was an ambient mic so that the little nuances of her chest voice and lyrics can be truly heard and savored. We could not hear the reading of the choir from the back as well. I was really surprised and disappointed by the unpreparedness by the cast, especially by Ms. Battle. I've seen shows at UCLA Live before and I expected nothing but the utmost professionalism and standard. I am also disappointed that at the level of UCLA Live, a sound check would immediately solve the challenge of not being able to hear from the back. You expect this mishaps at jazz clubs but not at a performing arts theater.

Still a diva after all these years! Intelligent and moving program, beautiful arrangements!

Kathleen Battle has a voice that moves one to where she wants to take you, she could sing the phone book and it would sound great! The opening song was so heart wrenching it brought me to tears, hearing the words I felt I was the hear-broken slave who's life was so bad she sang, "Lord, I wish I was never born!" She is so good and the lyrics and music of so many of these Spirituals so good that it made for a deeply touching and heart opening experience! The choir was phenomenal, their voices backing her up perfectly, and the pianist, Wow, jazzy, emotional and perfect accompaniment to the voices.

Awesome vocals, unbelievable pianist, fabulous vocal group! A soaring, inspirational evening!!