Page 10 - PGA Community News - January '22

Page 10, PGA C.A.N.! January 2022 January 2022
Rex Recommends

By Rex Hearn Kravis Center, West Palm sang Purcell’s short opera, Dido and Aeneas on Dec. 11,
Happy New Year! The in the open air, on the lawn of the Norton Museum, not
wonderful people at The Beach a microphone in sight, a real test for young voices who
Kravis Center have a jam learned to “throw” their God given instruments into the
packed selection to choose Renee Fleming, that great American soprano diva gives night air. These young singers will look back on this event
from. Space won’t allow a recital on Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. in Dreyfoos Hall. “Summer” the with pride; some may even sing at the 100th anniversary
for all their goodies, 30 or Donna Summer musical goes up Jan. 5 to 9. On Monday, of Palm Beach Opera.
more to be listed here. So Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. the Palm Beach Symphony takes the Henry Purcell, at 9 years of age, began his musical
here are a few I recommend. stage. Gerard Schwarz conducts the superb pianist Yefim career as a cathedral choir boy rising to the post of organist
Support the Arts and check Bronfman in Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3. Also at Westminster Abbey, London, at 20. Well placed, he was
for protocols so as not to be on the program is Kikimora by Liadov and Shostakovich’s sought out to write incidental music to 40 plays, vaudevilles,
disappointed. bone rattling masterpiece, his Symphony No. 5. and anthems for use in church services.
On Tuesday, Jan. 11 two young artists, in the Classical He served three English monarchs in his short life, dying
Series: Gabriel Martins, cello and Geneva Lewis, violin, give at 36. Male life expectancy then was 37! Many of his works
a recital at 7:30 p.m. in the Rinker Playhouse. On the same survive to this day, 300 years later. But his operas were
night in Dreyfoos Hall at 8 p.m., there’s a tribute to Tina few; Dido and Aeneas was his first of only five. Among
Turner. Comedian Jay Leno appears on Wednesday, Jan. 12 the great composers of the Baroque period, he was very
at 8 p.m. in the big hall. On Friday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and famous in England in his lifetime. The legendary Gods of
Saturday, Jan. 15 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., Billy Stritch and Greece and Rome feature in most early Baroque operas.
Gabrielle Stravelli celebrate the greatness of crooners Mel Dido and Aeneas is no exception. Dido, Queen of Carthage,
Torme and the late beloved Ella Fitzgerald, princess of “scat.” has fallen in love with a visitor to her realm, Aeneas. Her
Another comedian, a prickly one at that, the very bright, no subjects want her to marry him. Bad witches appear and
nonsense, Bill Maher will entertain you on Saturday, Jan. 15 plan to separate the lovers by destroying Carthage. Mercury,
at 8 p.m. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra under conductor Jupiter, Venus and Cupid all get involved. The upshot is that
Jader Bignamini visits on Monday, Jan. 17 for Regional Arts Aeneas chooses Jupiter’s offer, God of Thunder, then goes
Classical Concert Series at 8 p.m. Program: Dvorak Cello off to found Rome! Dido is left to die, grief stricken.
102 Year Anniversary Concerto in B minor with Alisa Weilerstein, soloist, Banner One would have liked to see the singers on a raised
nd
Do You Have is next by Jessie Montgomery. Brahms’ resounding 2nd platform. The crowd scenes got lost, buried by audience
heads blocking our views, no matter, most soloists came
Symphony ends it.
An Old Fur Hanging On Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. the Kravis Center Pops front and center to sing. Director Drew Minter fleshed out
In The Closet Orchestra Big Band appears with Michael Feinstein conducting this work using other music by Purcell, vis á vis: a prologue
for Carthage’s court singers at the start; more happy music
and singing. Now for some theatre! The Aquila Troupe presents
Not Being Worn? Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the Rinker Playhouse on Friday, to emphasize joy and merriment for Dido and her beau; a
Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 22 at 1:30 p.m. Another song for Aeneas, What shall I do?’ at the end of Act 2.
Restyle Your Old Fur great visiting orchestra flies in from Ohio, The Cleveland And there was mournful music at the end of the opera
Hanging In Your Closet Orchestra, conducted by their distinguished leader Franz from two of Purcell’s many church anthems made for all
to sing. We are grateful to Minter for augmenting this short
Welser-Most, part of the Regional Arts Classical Concert Series
on Sunday, Jan. 23 at 3 p.m. Just two symphonies grace their work mostly remembered for just two songs. The chorus,
program, Mozart’s Symphony No. 36 Linz and Tchaikovsky’s Come away fellow sailors and Dido’s lament, When I am
magnificent Symphony No. 4. laid in earth. Nahum Tate’s libretto leaves much to be
An unusual talk takes place in the Gimelstob Ballroom desired. Steven Sondheim he was not.
of the Cohen Pavilion on Jan. 24, a Monday, at 11:30 a.m. Conductor Gregory Ritchey led a small orchestra with a
Dr. Robert Watson will tantalize in “Affairs of State”: an delicate touch. With his back to the singers, they had to listen
irreverent history of presidential mistresses and misbehavior! for their music cues; an early lesson in their training. I was
Fascinating! once present when opera impresario and doyen of Twentieth
Now celebrating 60 years of grand opera, our own very Century opera, Boris Goldovsky told a soprano, rehearsing
special Palm Beach Opera present Bizet’s Carmen on Friday, a Mozart quartet, not to look at him for her cue, but listen
Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and for it in the music! Mezzo Megan Callahan sang a delicious
Sunday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. Conducted by Antonello Allemande, Dido. Christopher Humbert Jr. was a believable Aeneas
directed by Garnett Bruce, the soloists are: Carmen, American making the most of his lovely baritone voice. Soprano Avery
mezzo from the Metropolitan Opera, J’nai Bridges. Rihab Boettcher was a stand out as Belinda, the Queen’s assistant,
Chaieb, mezzo, sings the role on Jan. 29 along with Don with a compelling rich sounding voice. Mezzo Meridian
To A Beautiful Jose, Ukrainian tenor Migran Agadzhanyan. Jonathan Prall was a Sorceress. Soprano Alexandra Razskazoff
was Second Woman. Soprano Maria Vasilevskaya was
Burton essays the role Jan. 29, sung in French with English
Vest, Jacket, supertitles. Remember proof of vaccination is needed and one convincing as the wicked First Witch. Mezzo Megan Graves
Or Teddy Bear must wear a mask. Contact the box office at (561) 833-7888. was scary as the Second Witch. Soprano Marissa Moultrie
was a blythe Spirit, Tenor Steven Ricks was a passable
Palm Beach Opera’s sailor. I would have liked to see more dancing from him
and his companion – a sailor’s hornpipe perhaps to an added
Dido And Aeneas Purcell jig. And tenor Bergsvein Toverud, a Court Singer,
sounded very good indeed.
In the new year, we’ll be hearing these young artists
Youth at the helm! What better way to anticipate the
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Restyling Event singers preparing to launch successful careers in opera, to 30; at The Gala, Feb. 7; in The Elixer of Love, Feb. 25 to
in one of the best run training programs that helps those
27 and The Merry Widow, March 25 to 27. You can reach
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