Yet the specific gestures she does include (the striking Mara Hulspas singing a drawn-out version of "Over the Rainbow"; a jazzy tap interlude for the elegant Rashaen Arts) make you yearn for a return to generalities.
With her flowing, silvery blond hair and otherwise striking appearance, Kremena Dilcheva, singing appealingly as the Count's bride Ida, lent credence to the Count's desire for a new mate.
Arrayed behind Ms. Rivera, striking poses and singing "Ooh-la-la," the actresses exude a palpable warmth and generosity, honoring Ms. Rivera's performance without calling undue attention to themselves.
The role of Manon brings Ruth Ann Swenson out of her comfort zone of dazzling coloratura fireworks into an area of greater emotional range, and the result, at the premiere, was singing of striking warmth and beauty.
One of the striking things about "Blackbird Singing" is the bold inclusion of some 50 of the former Beatle's lyrics among more than 40 poems, a decision that cannot help but raise the old question about whether lyrics stand as poetry in their own right.
Backed here by two keyboardists and a drummer, who ratchet between synthpop and thumpy R&B, she's even more striking: she can sing, but she can also – as Jessie J would put it – sang.
There's the vulnerability, the striking close-up shots and singing through tears.
Their similarities are striking: blonde, beautiful, danced, sang, wonderful comedic and dramatic actresses with reputations as very hard workers.
The usefulness of singing as a pronunciation aid was most striking for me with Spanish.
But the more striking elements of his intensely focused reading were the singing tone he brought to the Allegro maestoso and the broad-boned Largo, and the balance of tempestuousness and control he applied to the scherzo and the finale.
