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REVIEWS

Diane Penning

Coloratura Pops Soprano

"As a classically trained soprano, Penning's version of George Gershwin's 'Summertime' was all you could ask for.  Yet she easily adapted to a Broadway ingenue to sing Bernstein's 'Somewhere' from West Side Story and a dance band singer for Cole Porter's 'Easy to Love'." 

 

- Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, The Grand Rapids Press

"Diane Penning is the 21st century Julie Andrews and Sarah Brightman combined.  She is Mary Poppins, Maria in The Sound of Music and Christine in Phantom.  Voices like Diane's don't come around very often and this is one you MUST hear."

 

Robert Hanson, Former Conductor,
  Elgin Symphony Orchestra

"Silvery and thrilling"

"Penning's lithe soprano is much like Julie Andrews' voice--a touch of naivete yet wise in the ways of the heart.  When she added a bit of cockney to Chim-chim-cheree, she was practically perfect in every way.

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- Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, The Grand Rapids Press

"Penning not only sings with a personal warmth that really resonates with an audience...But she's also one of those rare performers who can sing both classical music and pops standards, and she displayed her talents in both areas to perfection in this concert."

 

- Arelene Bachanov, Adrian Daily Telegram

"Brava and thank you!  You were just wonderful at the performances with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra this past weekend.  Your singing, your stage presence, your costumes, your musical charts...it's such a great 'total package' that I wish we could feature you every year."

 

- William Intrilligator, Music Director, Dubuque
  Symphony, Cheyenne Symphony

"Diane Penning was superb on our Holiday Pops.  Her crystalline voice comes from the heart and shines in a wide range of repertoire from classical to pops, while her warm sincerity draws in the audience.  She is also a great colleague to work with, a consummate professional.  I look forward to working with her again!"  

-Akiko Fujimoto, Associate Conductor, San Antonio Symphony

"astounding coloratura"

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