Musical Evening

Last night I attended a performance of the symphony and philharmonic chorus with a baritone soloist as guest artist. The program was a performance of excerpts from 8 operas. The director started out by saying "Everything tonight will be based on Bugs Bunny"

For the first number "Die Miestersinger von Nurnberg", Overture by Richard Wagner the symphony was joined by the youth orchestra. This large ensemble of instruments made an amazing sound.

The baritone soloist first performed a chorus from the comic opera "Barber of Seville" by Rossini, singing the part of Figaro the barber. He was an excellent singer and his actions were very amusing. He later sang two choruses by Gustav Mahler. The director said these were not from operas but he threw them in anyway because Mahler is his favourite composer.

The chorus sang two choruses from "The Flying Dutchman" by Wagner. The one by the women was "Spinning Song" and the one by the men was "Norwegian Sailors Song." (They were sung in German but that is the translation.) This was also very enjoyable.

Then they sang the Bridal Chorus from "Lohengrin" by Richard Wagner, again sung in German. This is the music which is traditionally called "Here Comes the Bride." I did not realize this familiar music was from an opera. The director said that if anyone is planning a wedding the full symphony and chorus would be available to perform for $50,000 for 4 minutes.

The larger part of the second half of the program was five parts from "Tannhauser" by Wagner. They started with the music for the guests entering the featuring the three trumpeters and the full volume of the symphony and crashing of cymbals, followed by the chorus joining in. The director said all operas have the basic theme that the tenor and the soprano fall in love and then fall out of the love. In this opera the guest baritone played the part of the rival competing for the woman's love in a singing contest. The various excerpts from Wagner last night made me want to hear more by this composer.

The last part with the chorus and symphony was "Nabucco" Va Pensiero by Giuseppe Verdi. This opera is about the Jews under King Nebuchadnezzar and the part sung was the chorus of the Hebrew slaves. This has been referred to as a second anthem of Italy. The performance of this last night was very impressive.

The night ended with the symphony playing the Triumphal March from "Aida" by Verdi. I love these kind of pieces where the whole symphony builds up with power and volume.

Elaine said these pieces were very challenging for the choir to learn. All the singing was in German or Italian. But I thought it was very well done and enjoyable.