US mezzo retires on social media

Elegant Facebook message from the international mezzo-soprano, Susanne Mentzer:

From somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.
Sad/happy tears. Going out in my own terms. I could not have had a more loving and talented group of people to be with for my final show. My first opera was Figaro and my last was as well.
I have no more contracts so decided at 65.5 years of age and after 42 years singing professionally, it was a good time. Amazingly there were two people who have been with me through most of it who just happened to be working on this show: Laurie Feldman and Dennis Giacque.
I did not expect speeches, gifts, tears from just about everyone. Thank you to the Ozawa Matsumoto Festival for the amazing 3 weeks and the wonderful send-off. My partner on stage- Patrick Carfizzi is a gem. We should have started our comedy act sooner! Bryan Wagorn sneakily got Craig Rutenberg- my friend and collaborator since 1981-on zoom, then Ben and April sent a video. Nothing makes a mom cry like their son saying, “I am so proud of you.” He had to endure me being away sometimes and I look back incredulous at how I did that but I had a super parenting partner Drew Landmesser and a slew of amazing care givers. Anne, Julie, Niecie, Elisa Billey Becker…and a few more.
Now a list of thanks:
To the amazing power of serendipity
For studying cello when I was in 6th grade then moving to a place with no orchestra which led me to singing
To Mrs. Reindollar at Thurmont Middle School for throwing me out of choir for singing out of key- (it was my friend Elizabeth Anderson! Only made me work harder.)
To chorus conductor Gail Slezak, the late Richard Tomlinson (French teacher and musician )who, at Catoctin High School, saw promise in me. Gail is still a part of my life.
To Catoctin Mountain Park where I was matched with my friend Denise to sing at various programs and for having me demonstrate folk crafts at the Folk Center. It helped me get over stage fright.
To Richard Gaddes who treated me seriously when as a 17 yr old I inquired at the Santa Fe Opera for voice lessons.
To that same company for hiring me as an usher while in high school.
Shirley Thompson and George Buckbee at the University of the Pacific who encouraged me to change from Music therapy major to performance and to transfer to Juilliard.
To the late Rose Bampton and Marguerite Meyerwitz at Juilliard and Bertha Melnick who taught me how to count.
To my late voice teacher Norma Newton who never let me stop trying or settle for less of myself. She gave me a healthy technique and her friendship. I think of her nearly every day.
The late Joel Bloch at CAMI, my first manager who talked SO many people into hiring me even without an audition.
The late Kevin Hassler and the very alive Ken Benson at CAMI, and Karen Ashley.
The IMG gang on both sides of the pond- Alison Pybus and Tom Graham and their assistants, et al.
The late Jay K. Hoffman who connected me with Sharon Isbin and more.
To ADA Artists
To my extraordinary pianist Craig Rutenberg who taught me more than I can even explain
To David Gockley and Carlisle Floyd who elevated me from working as a receptionist at the Houston Grand Opera to joining the opera studio as a last minute sub.
To David and John Demain for giving me so many wonderful roles, including Ponnelle’s Ariadne and Anna Bolena with Dame Joan Sutherland.
To Juta Gleue who was a director in Köln and saw something in me that made her recommend me to the legendary Jean Pierre Ponnelle.
To James Levine who “got” me and what I did for 27 years at the Met, after hiring me sight unseen to replace Maria Ewing at Ravinia as Komponist in 1987
To Dennis Giacque, Pam Bullock, and the many coaches who helped me learn my music, sometimes pounding it into my brain.
To all the staff, crew, wardrobe and makeup/wig artists who helped me create the characters I portrayed.
To the supers who literally would stand for hours in rehearsals.
To the stage managers and promoters who would save me quite often.
To the covers.
To the canine emotional support I had- Holger, Charlie and now Shawna
To some amazing conductors who had a great influence on me: Eschenbach, Muti, the fore-mentioned Levine, Haitink, Colin Davis, Marriner, there are others- just forgetting.
To the other great directors who helped along the way- John Copley, Elijah Moshinsky, Giorgio Strehler,
To the incredible opera orchestras and fantastic choral artists.
To the artists with whom I shared the stage. We are only as good as our colleagues.
(Especially Patrick Rafftery, Carol Vaness, the late Jerry Hadley, Dwayne Croft, Tom Allen, Sam Ramey, Stan Ohlsen, Renee Fleming, Dawn Upshaw, Richard Stillwell, Bryn Terfel, Sylvia McNair, Mechtilde Gessendorf, Shirley Verrett and Flicka)
To the audience and fans who made me feel so special- especially this past week in Japan.
To my students who for 22 years have kept me humble
Thank you to some of the men in my life who at times (alas not always) were incredibly supportive- Drew Landmesser, the late Ted Anderson
To REG HUSTON who found me again and helped me revive that 19 year-old self (before I was abused in my first marriage to the violent alcoholic), and who has patience and understanding; who will be with me until the real end.
Last, but not least, to my son Ben for bringing such joy and meaning to my life and to my extraordinary late parents who were unfailingly supportive. They were always there.
You can see how blessed I have been. 4 continents, 42 years. It seems a dream.
Apologies for leaving anyone out- too many years is a lot to remember! I