ELVERA LERNER "Rare Classic"

by jenny heying

Classically trained singers are not normally high on my list of performers to see, but that’s exactly what I did on Sunday. I ventured out to Heaven’s Sent to catch Elvera Lerner, who has performed in opera, operetta and musical theatre.

Beginning with “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”, Elvera unleashed an amazingly strong voice that is fit for Broadway and everything off Broadway. If that didn’t knock me out, she followed up with a show tune version of “Blue Moon” that's incredible. Elvera’s soprano voice was a little unnerving at first, probably because I’m not used to it but when she followed up with “Oh What A Beautiful Morning”, I was enchanted.

This isn’t my usual thing but I was intrigued. Her show was at times a little too organized, like everything was timed and she couldn’t sway from it. Elvera led from one song to the next without hesitation almost like clockwork. But that being the downside, her voice is a rarity in both worlds.

Her incredibly high, toned and smooth delivery of her voice was a pleasure to hear on “Night Of Stars & Night Of Love” before turning to a few Christmas songs done in an operatic style.

While Elvera claims to love to chat, during her performance she seems to chat at you rather than with you. She loses some of the warmth that normally is felt at a Second Life® show. But then again, you come to hear her sing and that she handles exceptionally well. Definitely outside the Second Life® box, Ms. Lerner has a voice most singers would kill for. You can tell she has the training, the range and her range is unbelievable.

“Secret Love” is a very fitting song. After all that is kind of what this world is to most of us. She performs it admirably and it is a fitting showcase for probably the most incredible voice I’ve heard in Second Life®.

Included in her set list this night were “People”, “Love Changes Everything”, “Merry Christmas Everyone”, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”, “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head”, “Greatest Love Of All”, "Shepherds Farewell", "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".

Near the end of her set, Elvera seemed to loosen up a bit and not seem so confined to her schedule. She seemed more relaxed, however still a bit rushed. She needs to slow down and relax a bit more. She seems to be enjoying herself but needs to let us in a bit more to enjoy things with her.

If you’re in the mood for something different in Second Life® and to hear one of the more spectacular voices, search for Elvera Lerner. I’m glad I did.