Jennifer Griffin Chesney, Soprano: Reviews

“…The Natchez cast starred Jennifer Griffin in the title role. Griffin, a Tennessee native, is a natural as Susannah. Her voice was impressive throughout. Its subtlety and range were especially evident in “Ain’t it a pretty night?” one of the opera’s most beautiful and revealing moments. Ms. Griffin’s acting abilities made her totally believable as the naïve, open and emotional child who quickly, through painful experience, becomes an angry, strong, and resilient woman. Her appearance, carriage and accent were also totally convincing. In short, Griffin gave a moving and thoroughly enjoyable performance.”

(performance of Susannah with Natchez Opera: David Blackburn, conductor; Stan Garner, director)

“…She sits on the porch, rifle in hand, daring anyone to enter the portal of her soul…There were “olympian” moments when I thought of Wagner and especially two beautiful moments when Ms. Griffin’s voice made me think of the best of Puccini…But it was Susannah who controlled our pulse, our anticipations, our fright and compassion. Her strong though lovable voice, in the body of a true actress, led us into the heart of this opera: the experience of innocence, and the experience of its loss. She was these images, these songs, these memories…Brava, Ms. Griffin.”

(performance of Susannah with Natchez Opera: David Blackburn, conductor; Stan Garner, director)

“...utter charm was portrayed by Jennifer Griffin as Mimi...Griffin added particular interest through her fine breath control, resulting in long legato lines of considerable beauty...Good acting had become second nature to the entire cast...”

(performance of La Boheme with New York City Opera National Company.
Joseph Colaneri, conductor, Beth Greenberg, director)

“…Jennifer Griffin will go on as Mimi…I am already telling myself that here is someone who will probably have a career. She brims with…well, self-confidence…She takes a long sip of water, closes her eyes and stands perfectly still, all concentration as she gazes into the shaft of blue light that’s coming off the stage. Then she picks up the candle and makes her entrance…The rest of the performance goes smoothly…She signs autographs for a few wide-eyed teenagers lingering at the stage door, and then she’s back on the bus with the rest of the company, dancing and singing…”

(performance of La Boheme with New York City Opera National Company.
Joseph Colaneri, conductor, Beth Greenberg, director)

“ Another standout was lyric soprano Jennifer Griffin, whose Rusalka was luscious and sensitively phrased, and gracefully acted, too... I’m hoping to hear Ms. Griffin’s sexy voice in some sinfully sensuous Puccini or Massenet...”


(performance in The CoOPERAtive, NYC)

“Jennifer Griffin ...beautifully captured the sweet tonal nature of the girlfriend Sarah’s soothing music.”

(performance of King of the Clouds: Michael Ching, composer, Hugh Moffat, lyricist;
for National Center for the Development of American Opera)

“ Micaela, Memphian Jennifer Griffin, sang ‘Parle moi...’ with a pretty legato and an innocent tone...When the voice got bigger for her Act III aria, she sold the song with dramatic interpretation...”

(performance of Carmen with Opera Memphis: William Anthony Waters, conductor; John Norris, director)