By Dr. Ginger Gabriel
International award-winning coloratura soprano Kirsten Ashley Wiest shared the gift of her music in a recital on Saturday, Jan. 18 at Mt. Calvary Lutheran church.
Arriving early for the recital, I asked Wiest what began her journey into the world of opera. She responded, “Growing up in Texas, our fifth-grade school classes were bussed to the Dallas Opera for a presentation of Puccini. Most of the students were milling around, killing time waiting for the program to start, while I was fascinated by everything I saw. I wanted this life!”
Following the recital, Kirsten Wiest visited with (l-r) Lorna Polley, Mary Lindsey and Philip Lindsey.
On her 13th birthday, her grandmother found a school where Wiest could take voice lessons. Her grandmother gifted her with a month of lessons. Wiest found her voice and her world. She signed up for everything musical at her school and began singing in every form of choir. She especially loved show choir.
When asked if she composes her own music, Wiest answered, “I interpret music!” She describes herself as a coloratura soprano. Her voice interprets the music as she sings high, light and fast notes. The audience was entertained and informed by her facial expressions, the excitement in her range of notes and in her body movements.
Wiest sang in several languages – Spanish, German, French and English – in a recital of classical and contemporary operas. She has captivated composers worldwide, resulting in over 80 world premiere performances. Her local recital included works by Ginastera, Manuel de Dalla, Rodrigo, Schumann, Widmung, Webern, Strauss, Aboulker, Debussy and Mozart.
Wiest recently joined the board of the Arrowhead Arts Association because it dovetails with her mission in life: “To share the power and love of music.” Arrowhead Arts Association attempts to provide every child in the mountain communities with the opportunity to receive a musical education. She also serves on the board of directors for the Southern California Philharmonic. She teaches voice at University of California Riverside and San Bernardino Valley College.
She and her husband, Jeffery Holmes (who is a composer), have a 4-year-old son.
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