Local Soprano Joins Tonight's Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra Concert

Soprano Kristen Plumley, a longtime Ridgewood resident, is one of the guest soloists during tonight’s performance by the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra.

The energetic Ms. Plumley, a mother of twins who is active in the Ridgewood music scene, has performed with the New York City Opera and at Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall. Her voice has been described as “shimmering” (The New York Times) with “sparkle and precision” (The Washington Post). And she has worked with opera companies throughout the country, including the New York City Opera, Virginia Opera, Lyric Opera of Cleveland and others.

For Friday’s concert at the West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, she’ll be singing the fourth movement of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. “I love the lyricism of the soprano lines in the fourth movement, and the bursts of childlike enthusiasm,” Ms. Plumley said. “The music really does paint a picture of an idyllic place.”

Two other works will be performed Friday: Acclaimed violist Brett Deubner will make a guest appearance for Richard Danielpour’s viola concerto “The Voyager.” And the orchestra will perform the Ukrainian National Anthem; Ukrainian tenor Alexei Kuznietsov had been scheduled to open the concert singing the anthem, but he has been helping with relief efforts in Ukraine and was unable to return to New York in time for Friday’s performance.

This is the first time Ms. Plumley is working with the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra’s new conductor, Maestro Kyunghun Kim. She says she admires his professionalism, kindness and patience—and thinks he’s the perfect person to be at the helm of the RSO. “For me, it’s wonderful to be part of a community within our community, to work with your neighbors in the very special way of making music together.”

Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 comprises four traditional movements, but the fourth movement is rather unusual. It is called “Heavenly Life” and has been described as a child’s view of heaven. When Ms. Plumley sings this piece, she wants listeners “to feel like they can envision a very special place by listening to the lovely lines of Mahler.” She wants listeners to feel her excitement “singing about the people, animals, food and music in heaven.”

For tickets or information about the performance, which begins at 8 p.m. Friday, please visit https://www.ridgewoodsymphony.org/

And remember—the RSO allows you to hear great music close to home. As Ms. Plumley says, “It’s really nice to drive across town to get to rehearsals and the performances, and not have to cross the bridge, battle traffic, and pay for parking!”