Page 29 - Boca ViewPointe - May '22

May 2022 Viewpointe, Page 29

Rex Recommends

By Rex Hearn quietly refined due to the Academy Award for his music to Anthony Adverse – 1936
use of a large cloth under with Frederick March and Olivia de Havilland; second,
Palm Beach Symphony her chin for comfort, which Another Dawn – 1937 starring Errol Flynn; third, The Prince
Orchestral Heaven, Sublime Playing By Midori appeared to dull the violin’s and the Pauper – 1937 and lastly Juarez – 1939 starring Brian
Sunday afternoon at the Kravis Center, April 10, will be sound box. Were it not for the Aherne and Bette Davis. Korngold’s sprightly solo filigrees
remembered for the visit of violinist, Midori, a Japanese woman activity of Erich Korngold’s woven into the fabric of his film melodies were delightfully
of great skill on her 1734 Guanerius del Gesu fiddle and what son, we might never have played by violinist Midori.
is more important, a world-class performer willing to appear heard this piece. He went Two other pieces graced this concert. William Schuman’s
with the newly formed Palm Beach Symphony Orchestra led by around America promoting lovely New England Triptych was composed in 1956.
Gerard Schwarz, now close to 90 players: the mark of a major his father’s classical works. Schuman once headed up the Juilliard School of Music and
symphony. But numbers are not enough to attract the likes of Noted for Hollywood film before that taught at Sarah Lawrence College, New York.
Midori, their playing must be of the highest standard, and this music, Korngold left Europe, While at the college he led their Choral Society in works by
is true under the mentorship of Maestro Schwarz, he is able to where his classical output William Billings, 1746-1800, a contemporary of the Founding
get a very refined sound from the orchestra with a subtlety I’ve had been well regarded, to come to the U.S.A. because of Fathers who helped bring American choral singing to the fore.
never experienced before. His command is extraordinary. Adolf Hitler’s dictatorship. Film music paid the bills! And Basing his Triptych on Billing’s hymns, this superb work
Midori chose the Korngold Violin Concerto in D Major, this Violin Concerto was his return to the classics drawing deserves being heard more often. The orchestra gave it a very
Opus 35 written in 1945. Her playing was note perfect, also from his many film music themes, the first of which won the fine reading. The last work was Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8
in G Major, Opus 88 of 1889. Responding to the conductor,
the orchestra romped through this delightful work showing
off all the sections and the quality playing of each as Dvorak
throws tune after tune in their direction. Much of their refined
sound is attributable to Maestro Schwarz’s conducting in the
brilliant performance of this symphony and of course by the
musicians. Kudos to all. Next year we’ll have six monthly
concerts, up from five. Growth indeed … try not to miss them.
Call the box office at (561) 281-0145.

Palm Beach Opera’s Merry Widow
A Glorious End To Their 60th Season.
Sixty Years In Business, Bravi Palm Beach Opera!
American opera companies come and go for lack of
financial support. Opera is the most costly of all the art forms,
using all the disciplines: Music, singing, dancing, painting,
scenic design, costumes, orchestras and more. Not so our
beloved Palm Beach Opera; it will be around for another
sixty years! With people like General Director, David Walker,
charming every dollar needed from opera lovers to see it
continues to succeed. In Europe opera companies rely on 80
percent of their budgets coming from state funds. The average
North American state support is about 5 percent.
Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow was an ideal choice to
end 60 glorious years. Production values were superb; the art
nouveau sets by Michael Yeargan, were beautiful, culminating
in the famous Maxim’s in Paris with eight delightful can-can
BUYER? Call Joe Young SELLER? girls drawn from Ballet Palm Beach, as were two excellent

male dancers. The gowns and costumes were lovely to look at.
The orchestra, symphonic in size, was led by an exciting new
THIS IS THE MARKET YOU YOU NEED EXPOSURE & and young conductor, Mr. Ward Stare, who got a high level of
playing from the musicians. And the Palm Beach Opera Chorus
HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR! AGGRESSIVE MARKETING! shone brilliantly; surely the envy for miles around of their great
(561) 756-8508 (561) 756-8508 consistent work together.
This operetta, written in 1905, made Franz Lehar king of the

Hope everyone is doing okay during these challenging times. I am here to assist any way I can. genre in the early Twentieth Century. In all, he wrote 30 such
light operatic works. The translation of Leon and Stein’s German
libretto is by that living legendary wordsmith, Sheldon Harnick
NEW LISTING CLOSED – Fiddler on the Roof, She Loves Me, Goose of Cairo – whose
words here seem flat printed as supertitles, but come off better
PENDING
when sung. Some of the vernacular could be updated. And what
wonderful singers we heard. Soprano Jennifer Rowley as the
wealthy widow, Hanna Glawari, has a gorgeous, powerful voice
that soared easily above the orchestra on many occasions. In the
famous Vilja, Oh Vilja melody of Act ll, she and the conductor
had a small difference toward its end: he kept the tempo; Rowley
wanted it slower to show off her beautiful sound. This age-old
rivalry between star and maestro resolved amicably with a
slight win for the singer. Roars of applause greeted her aria.
The dashingly handsome Andrew Manea, baritone, sang Count
7215 Via Palomar $725,000 7252 Via Palomar $615,000 Danilo, her lover, with great charm and a resoundingly steady
vocal production, almost tenor-like in its flexibility. I think
3/2 pool home 1937 sq ft 3/2 pool home 1800 sq ft dancing lessons are in his future. The waltz has three steps not two
steps sideways, Mr. Manea. Elizabeth Sutphen, soprano, made an
impressive debut as Valencienne. Her lovely voice needs stronger
PENDING CLOSED projection for a house this size. Her triumphs in smaller European
houses are known and well deserved. Former Palm Beach Opera
Young Artist, Duke Kim, tenor, sang Camille de Rosillon very
well. He grew stronger in character as the operetta progressed.
Dwayne Croft, whose baritone I first heard at Glimmerglass
Opera over 35 years ago, was excellent as Baron Zeta, the man
wanting to keep Glawari’s millions in the Ruritanian country
of Pontivedra. Croft’s Metropolitan opera successes are legion.
Stage Director Helena Binder kept the whole company moving
nicely with quick exits and entrances by the huge chorus; there
were moments when I felt her staging/placing of younger
singers could have been improved. Over all, her crowd scenes
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the art nouveau sets glow with pastel colors and good follow
spot work on the stars. To enter year 61, Palm Beach Opera has
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the Club at Boca Pointe
See you at the opera in 2023! Contact the box office at (561)
833-7888. 