Mary K Bergman (2004)

Mary K Bergman (2004) has founded an opera company in 2010 called Main Street Opera in Arlington Heights, Illinois. In 2010, she sang recitals in Munich (May 1) at the Gasteig and in Würzburg at the Hochschule (May 3) with pianist Christof Weinhardt. The American song program included Barber's Hermit Songs, Menotti's Canti della lontananza and John Carter's Cantata. She made her Chicago debut as Mrs Peachum in "The Beggar's Opera" at DuPage Opera Theater in 2009. She sang Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn at a Lunchtime Concert at St. Barnabas Church, Ealing, London on March 25, 2009, and Schubert's Mass in G at Southminster Presbyterian Church, Arlington Heights (Chicago) on April 25, 2009.

"The pupil must read the words of the piece again and again till each finest shadow of meaning has been mastered. He must next recite them with perfect simplicity and self-abandonment. The accent of truth apparent in the voice when speaking naturally is the basis of expression in singing. Light and shade, accent, sentiment, all become eloquent and persuasive. The imitation of instinctive impulse must, therefore, be the object of this special preparation."

-Manuel Garcia, Hints on Singing