Ravinia 2019, Issue 7, Week 15

Quinn Kelsey has the tonic for his dominant Verdi voice BY MARK THOMAS KETTERSON IF SOMEONE HAD TO DESCRIBE QUINN KELSEY in two words, a couple come immediately to mind: au- thenticity and responsibility. Kelsey is an authentically nice guy with a real deal, rara avis of a voice, and the commitment to manage it responsibly. Ravinia au- diences can judge for themselves on March 28, 2020, when Kelsey makes his Ravinia recital debut in Bennett Gordon Hall on the BGH Classics series. ¶ I first encoun- tered Kelsey 16 years ago. I had been assigned to do a story on Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Center, then known as the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists. Someone directed me to a room that buzzed with activity. Nobody introduced me; I awkwardly stood there, feeling my dormant high-school insecurity bubbling up, when from my right I heard a subtle hissing. I looked over to see a tall, burly young man with a po- nytail sitting at a computer. He clearly sensed my anxiety, and to my huge relief whispered, “Over there. That’s who you need to talk to, that one over there.” It was a very kind thing to do, and I secretly vowed to buy that kid a beer someday. Cadence ANDREW CIOFFI/LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO (ALL PHOTOS) 16 RAVINIA MAGAZINE | AUGUST 26, 2019 – MAY 9, 2020