LYDIA CASSATT READING THE MORNING PAPER

Lydia Cassatt died in her 40s in Paris, having posed for five of her sister Mary's (May's) paintings. Weakened in body but active of mind, she spends her last months musing on the artistic life around her, May's implied romance with Degas, her relationship with her sister, and the artwork which "caught my soul in paint." Chessman's soft, clear voice wears well as Lydia, and her French is excellent. You can tell she wants you to get inside her subject as she has. Lydia comes across as earnest, observant, and sometimes dreamy, painting May in words as May captures her in colors. You might want to have a book of Cassatt's art work handy to complete this enjoyable listening experience. J.B.G. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 02]