December 2000 - Nr. 12
Fairs and Affairs
Concert Season
There are indeed a lot of good choirs around, but one of the best by far is the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Over one hundred years of tradition and more than 200,ooo singers performed in these exactly 107 years with the choir! Each season the Choir offers something unique as well as something familiar and this season the kick off was particularly special. On November 2nd the Roy Thomson Hall reverberated with the elating sounds of Verdi’s Requiem Mass.
Verdi is certainly Italy’s best known and beloved opera composer. As a lyrical genius or a supreme dramatist he is hardly surpassed by any other composer in consistent expressiveness of harmonies and orchestrations. Even poor librettos survive because his music fills the gap, provides the necessary insight into a story or character.
As an agnostic he had no real ambition to compose a great deal of sacral music. He preferred to suggest it to others, as he did after Rossini’s death when he suggested many different composers right him a requiem. He was even willing and did, compose a part of it. Unfortunately it never came off the ground due to squabbling among the other composers. But his obvious spirituality came to the forefront when Allessandro Manzoni died. This time he could not deny his desire to express his admiration for his idol as well as capping his long career with a work that would allow him to be remembered as more than a composer who could write for the theatre.
The Requiem Mass was immediately a huge success and to this day attracts big audiences. Its appeal lies perhaps in that what the master was so famous for: his extraordinary talent for lyricism and drama. We find both elements in perfect, almost magical balance in this work, never at war with each other, yet yielding to each other like ebb and flood. The changes between monumental or quietly haunting are at times overwhelming or are causing tranquility. They are always a highly personal experience.
On this evening the four soloists were well chosen for their task. Barbara Livingston’s crystal clear soprano climbed effortlessly to even unusual heights in pianissimo or forte. She could even be heard over and above the tremendously large choir at all times.
Kurt Lehmann’s tenor harmonized especially well with the mezzo-soprano of Annamaria Popescu, whose part is especially demanding in length and required range.
The only 19-year-old bass Robert Pomakov surprised with an insightful interpretation of his part.
Noel Edison of course reigned sovereign over the huge choir and the Mendelssohn Orchestra. And as he controls these many sound sources with ease he also has the good graces not to insist himself on to the soloists with unneeded verve, a fact the soloists surely appreciate. With Noel Edison a soloist can make the most use of the freedom given by an insightful and sensitive conductor, who is tremendously appreciative of the talent surrounding him.
This evening produced a gamut of emotion in the listening audience. I know I was not the only one experiencing feelings of profoundly overwhelming sensations, which even drove tears to my eyes; something which does not happen all that often, I might add.
The rest of the season is well planned out for the choir and includes several performances with the Toronto Symphony. As a seasonal event before Christmas the Festival of Carols at 7:30 in Roy Thomson Hall, on December 10, is highly recommended.
Book Find
Have you ever wondered where Nostradamus drew his data from, or where you could inform yourself about perhaps the most well known prophet in literature?
His name was really Michel de Notre-Dame and he was born December 14th, 1503 in St. Remy. He was an astrologer and became the personal doctor of Karl IX and died July 2., 1566 in Salon.
Nostradamus has held the imagination of thousands of readers
for centuries now. He even inspired many an artist to create stories on his
predictions that claim to look into the future as far as the year 3000,
which likely upsets those who foresaw that the world would no longer exist
as of this year. This could be interpreted that his predictions are indeed
correct. May that be as it is, Nostradamus has many disciples to this day
who will be happy to know that a very special book is now available for the
first time in English!
Last published in Germany in 1928 and from there rescued from sinking into oblivion by a most interesting woman, Dietlinde Arzt-Wegman. She admits to a fascination with Nostradamus as of her childhood and when she was introduced in 1952 to the Dream Interpretation Book she was disappointed to learn that it was no longer available in print. 20 Years later she was given an old copy and has treasured it ever since. Not only that, she also has challenged the book as to the accuracy of its interpretations and is convinced that the quality of Nostradamus’ findings is beyond dispute. She has all the rights to this rare find and has taken great pains to accurately translate this work. Nostradamus’ extensive Egyptian Dream Book is now available for the first time in English. It explains what types of dreams are valuable and which are not, which can be interpreted and have meaning within our life and which not.
The translator and commentator of this book, relays to the reader an important message, that with this book and the use of your free will you can influence and prevent unpleasant events or fully enjoy the happy events you know will be heading your way. She is convinced that the laws of creation were clear to Nostradamus, and how they connect to our daily lives. A mastery of astrology and astronomy along side his other scientific disciplines helped him write this book as a gift to the world.
This interesting book, Nostradamus’ Dream Book, is
available at Chapters Book stores or you can order it directly at the
Publishers: Vasitha Publications, Telephon (905) 827-6222, or Fax: (905)
827-1332. There is also a website at www.nostradamusdreams.com
!
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Sybille reports:
- Christmas Fair
- Queen's Park Visit
- Remembrance
- Urban Renewal
- Royal Winter Fair
- Concert Season
- Book Find
