Larry Vote, guest conductor for the River Concert at St. Mary’s College of Maryland on Friday July 13th, presented many talented local choristers along with the Chesapeake Orchestra.
The 8 P.M. concert was well attended and the weather was glorious, considering the recent heat.The chorus included members from St. Marie’s Musica, The SMCM Choir and Chamber Singers, Patuxent Voices, and Leonardtown and Calvert High Schools. The concert began with George Frideric Handel’s “Music for the Royal Fireworks”, one of his most famous works.
The music was “pageant music” celebrating the end of the War of the Austrian Succession. As might be expected there were lots of trumpet fanfares and sprightly “royal” horns. Henry Purcell’s “Come ye Sons of Art” was performed next, a Cantata with nine movements, featuring three soloists, the Chesapeake Orchestra and the large choir. The work was written for Queen Mary’s birthday celebration in 1694.
Larry Vote explained that Purcell was so popular in London that his music would have been included in the “Top 40” if he had presented his work today. The soloists included Countertenor (very high male voice) Roger O. Isaacs, Soprano Joan McFarland and a Bass soloist. Mr. Isaacs originally came from Cape Town South Africa and has performed for many years in the Washington D.C. area.
Many of the movements were bright and cheerful as one might expect of a birthday celebration, including the words “Celebrate this triumphant day” in the 2nd and 4th movements. Of particular note was the duet with Joan McFarland and an oboist. Ms. McFarland had a lovely smile and attractive gold gown. After the intermission, music director Jeffrey Silberschlag joined the production. He told the audience that they shouldn’t be afraid that next week’s concert is titled “A Wagnerian Finale for 2012”. (Featuring Brian Ganz, our fabulous local pianist).
He said, “the concert is called a finale, just in case the Mayan calendar is right” (and the world is ending in 2012). There is also a sixth concert on July 27th. He went on to tell the audience that, “Most of you must be very cold tonight. We’ll bring out the heat lamps next week.” Handel’s “Concerto for Trumpet in D with Oboes” was performed next with trumpet soloists Jeffrey Silberschlag and his son Zachary. Silberschlag joked that “if you want to know what it was like playing a concerto with your child, think about teaching him to drive, times ten.”
Both men were very talented and performed well together. (pictured) The bass and soprano performed a sweet love song, “My Dearest, My Fairest” by Daniel Purcell. The beautiful Baroque Aria “Ombra mai fu” followed, sung by Mr. Isaacs. His pitch and tender voice quality were exceptional and he deserved the standing ovation he received. Handel’s coronation anthem “Zadok the Priest”, and the Hallelujah Chorus from “Messiah” ended the concert with lots of powerful crescendos and joyfulness sung by the combined choir and orchestra.
