I don’t have the right to be singing at my age, but I am going to attempt it,” said retired world-renowned opera singer Irene Jordan Caplan at a luncheon given in her honor by Judson College’s Birmingham alumnae chapter.
Despite that disclaimer, her renditions of “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” and “Place Called Heaven” impressed those in attendance at the Feb. 4 luncheon at Birmingham’s The Club.
Caplan, a 1939 Judson graduate, attended the college on a scholarship her freshman and senior years and took voice lessons that greatly affected her future.
“At Judson, we had wonderful teachers,” she said.
After graduating from Judson, Caplan taught music there for one year. She then traveled to New York, where she sang for The New York Metropolitan Opera and gleaned other singing experience.
Singing came naturally to Caplan, and she knows that it is a gift from God, Who has commanded us to sing, she said.
Coming from a musical family also influenced Caplan’s singing ability.
“There was always music pouring out of their house,” said Catherine Allen, a family friend.
Caplan was once offered a contract to go to London, but she wasn’t sure if it was God’s will for her. She was pregnant at the time and was afraid of the timing of her travel.
“I wanted to sing opera, and I had this lovely opportunity,” Caplan said. So she opened her Bible, and God gave her Psalm 126:6. She felt that verse was God’s way of telling her that she would be OK and that she should go.
Throughout the years, Caplan has used her voice to further God’s Kingdom.
She has performed evangelistic concerts in Japan, Lebanon, Trinidad, Venezuela and the former West Germany.
Resolutions were presented to Caplan to recognize her achievements. Gov. Bob Riley, Jefferson County and Judson all presented Caplan with resolutions. Judson President David Potts read each resolution and shared about Caplan’s contributions to Judson.
Along with Potts, several others shared their memories of Caplan.
Allen remembered her returning to their home church in Marion and hoping that she would wear the tiara she was wearing in photographs of her time at The Met.
Allen also mentioned how another woman in their church loved hearing Caplan sing and said whenever Caplan sang, she thought Jesus was coming back.
Those who spoke emphasized that Caplan has impacted many people over the years.
“There are lots of women who have been inspired by what you have accomplished,” Joan Vignes Newman, Judson’s national alumnae president, said to Caplan.
Those present agreed the luncheon was a great opportunity for friends and Judson alumnae to come together and honor a woman who is very important to them.
“We need to savor the moment and savor the occasion,” Newman said.
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