Share your memories of soprano Mary Jo Anthony

By Barb Van Atta

It is with sincere regret that BAMirror reports the passing of well-know local soprano Mary Jo Anthony. Anthony died Sunday, April 3, of a massive heart attack, according to her close friend David Bower.
In the 1960s and ’70s, Anthony was a leading soprano with Tri-Cities Opera. She later performed with both Opera Cabaret of Endicott and her own company, Tri-Cities Troubadours.
Anthony, 70, of Endicott, was predeceased by her husband and fellow TCO performer, Leo O’Leary. She leaves no survivors.
Burial is set for 10 a.m. Monday at Vestal Hills Memorial Cemetery (lot 589, space 4, east row); those attending should meet in the office parking lot a bit before 10 a.m. No formal service is planned, but anyone attending will be welcome to speak, Bower said, adding, “I think she would like to be remembered for having helped so many people in their lives. Anybody with a problem could always call her for guidance, be it with music or the everyday rigors of life.” There is a possibility of a memorial event at a later time. If you are interested in participating, call Bower at  239-6463 or email him at essene@stny.rr.com.
Friends, fellow performers and her decades of audience members are encouraged to share their memories of Anthony through this blog. Remember: You no longer need to register for WordPress to leave a comment.

Russian ballet charms at BU

Reviewed by Sarah Roche

Last night (April 6), the Russian Classical Ballet Theatre performed two ballets at the Osterhout Concert Theater of Binghamton University’s Anderson Center. The opening work, “Chopiniana,” portrayed a young man’s romantic dream. The curtain rose to a picturesque scene of ballerinas dressed in snow-white dresses against a blue-green background. Yuri Ostrovsky danced the role of Romantic Youth. He partnered with three ballerinas, one of whom performed the numerous lifts with ease, another who was very graceful and executed beautiful leaps, and one who seemed a bit more of a novice. Chopin’s light piano music created an ethereal atmosphere that allowed me to be swept away by the vision of the troupe of ballerinas moving in unison, swaying and bending, then freezing in poses. This ballet highlighted traditional ballet technique and a large amount of the ballerinas’ time is spent en pointe. It was the first time I had seen this ballet performed live, and I thought it was a great opportunity to see such skilled performers.