VOCAL ELEGANCE AND FIRE AT THE 222'S RECITAL
April 26th, 2025 | Pamela Hicks Gailey
“Ms. Hollow sang the vocal pyro techniques as if she were in Carnegie Hall. Costumed fetchingly in trousers, blouse, vest and top hat, she emceed the program as an erudite and enthusiastic teacher/club host.
Performed straight through with no intermission, the program was divided into five sets entitled Entering the Tavern, Nightlife Shenanigans, Nostalgic and Silly, Sloppy and Bizarre, and Closing Time. The titles provided a witty framework for this musically rich and adventurous deep dive exploring the night scene, its people and places…A talented and sensitive musician, actress and storyteller as well as singer, Ms. Hollow is the master of her elegant coloratura soprano and she knows exactly what it can do. She sings and acts energetically and powerfully but also effortlessly, never forcing, never at the expense of sweetness, focus, pitch or expression. And a couple of the pieces were technically extremely demanding. Ravel’s incredible “Fire Aria” from his eccentric Opera L’enfant et les sortilèges, was the astonishing high point of the evening, both literally and figuratively.”