May, 2005 - Nr. 5
KW & Beyond
by Irena Syrokomla
Symphony Hamilton
presents Alberto Ginastera and
Anton Bruckner.
Hamilton is just a short drive from Kitchener-Waterloo, or- for that matter- from Metro Toronto. Symphony Hamilton is a community orchestra offering 5 concerts a year, performing in churches, Studio Theatre and occasionally in private settings. It includes 60 professional musicians, with talent and pride in their art under the skilful baton of James R.McKay, Music Director of the symphony.
On Sunday May 1st they played in the Studio Theatre in Hamilton Place performing a chamber music concert named "Variaciones Concertantes" by a 20th century modern Argentinean composer Alberto Ginastera.
Individual musicians had an unusual opportunity to display their craft and shine in 12 parts composed for different instruments, virtuosos on harp, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and even tuba, among others. The music was of classical quality, clear sound and surprisingly easy to listen to and enjoy.
The second part was Anton Bruckner’s Symphony no.6 in A major, a late romantic composition, certainly influenced by Wagner and church music, amazingly neither heavy nor gloomy. It was relatively short for a symphony, again played with visible pleasure by the orchestra. Some musicians were young, barely out of school with talent and devotion to music so clear, you could feel it in the air.
Bruckner influenced later compositions for the movies such as Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zivago. I cannot recall hearing Bruckner’s music before and did not know what to expect, so I was very pleasantly surprised. The selection of pieces was exquisite, very suitable for a small audience of serious music lovers.
For its next season, Symphony Hamilton is planning
five concerts in Hamilton and in Burlington, including a selection of
Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms and the traditional Handel’s Messiah.
The subscription price for 4 concerts is $80, quite a bargain for such high
quality music. Program information is available on their web-site at
www.mysymphony.ca or by phone at
905-526-6690. If you are within easy access to Burlington or Hamilton, it is
an opportunity to be considered. It is a great orchestra, believe me.
Opera Ontario – Carmen by Georges Bizet
The 2004-05 season for Opera Ontario is closing with Carmen, - with performances at Hamilton Place and also in Kitchener at The Centre in the Square. It is one of the classical and most spectacular operas of all time, - if you never go to the opera, but decide for once to see what it is all about, – see Carmen. It is full of memorable melodies; arias repeated on radio stations for decades, the timeless and eternal dream of opera singers.
![Theodore Baerg as Escamillo, Jessie Rowen as Carmen [photo: Roy Tim]](505c-IS-a.jpg)
The
era of famous ageing opera stars
is behind us, in the last ten years the singers taking over the stage are
younger, slimmer and not only singing, but also acting and dancing as
well. This production is especially blessed with the tremendous voices of
Jessie Raven in the title role, Joseph Rouleau as Zuniga, Mark Duffin as Don
Jose and Theodore Baerg as Escamillo. Jessie Raven has sung ten productions
of Carmen around the world and the role becomes her, indeed.
She has a powerful voice and powerful presence on stage. There is a great
rapport between her and Mark Duffin, so important in such a production.
An unusual element for Carmen was introduced at the opening of the second act in a form of a flamenco dancer, Ilse Gudino. She began her career in Mexico, danced in Spain, New York and now in Ontario. In Carmen she danced without accompaniment from the orchestra, just to the rhythms in her head and the staccato of her shoes. It was a spectacular performance, one of a kind.
Other aspects worth mentioning: a special participation of Children’s Chorus, enjoyable if not perfect, the scenery courtesy of Virginia Opera and the magnificent Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Daniel Lipton. Many thanks for such a lovely experience, from all of us!
Opera Ontario - 2005-2006 season
The programs for the Opera next season are available and the four productions are very interesting. In October Romeo et Juliette by Gounod will debut for Opera Hamilton, well-known Laura Whalen singing the part of Julia and John Bellemer as Romeo. There is no need to elaborate on the subject based on Shakespeare’s drama of young lovers. As the program says, " an evening of poetry, tragedy and dreamy love awaits you."
At the end of November there will be a pre-Christmas show of Opera Grande, several fine soloists delivering favourite arias and warming the hearts of the audience before the holidays.
In February it will be Don Giovanni by Mozart. Gustave Flaubert once said "There are three things in the world that I love most: the sea, Hamlet and Don Giovanni." I am sure we will be able to recognize many arias and melodies. This combination of dark comedy and splendid music is again one of the greatest masterpieces of the opera. If you have not seen Don Giovanni, this is an opportunity, in your own community without extensive travel.
The fourth opera in the next season is La Traviata by Verdi, scheduled for the end of April 2006. It was staged in Hamilton and in The Centre in The Square in October 1999, and, as I recall, the final act of Violetta dying on stage was especially memorable. If I may quote my mother who told me when I was a teenager " If you see La Traviata you will cry" – and of course I thought whas a silly idea, all this fake singing and stage decor, I would not cry! And then in October 1999 I did cry, and so did other people around me.
Three of the operas (not Popera) will have three performances in Hamilton and two in Kitchener. There is quite a range in subscription prices, discounts for students and seniors; the season guide is available either in selected locations or directly from Opera Ontario.
Call 1-800-265-8977 or visit www.operahamilton.com.
What an opportunity, don’t miss it!
Swinging with the Stars
at The Centre in the SquareThe combination of Peter Appleyard, Howard Cable and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony made this evening experience "the concert of a lifetime" – a comment I overheard in the foyer. And indeed, it was quite an occasion!
This was a concert in the KWS Pops Series, specifically focused on jazz music dating from the 20’s to the 70’s. The concert commenced with Howard Cable leading the orchestra with a medley of The Beatles melodies including "When I’m 64", "Michelle" and "Yellow Submarine". The memorable tunes of Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson and Goodman followed, with various orchestra sections being in the spotlight at different moments.
Peter Appleyard and his quartet took stage in the second half – both before and after intermission – and the atmosphere changed from traditional orchestral performance to a live jazz band show. Peter has a special talent of relating to the audience and responding to the mood of the evening, reminiscing about his career, going back to his early days in Canada and his various travels around the world. He invited the audience to participate in his "P.E.I. Polka" and the crowd just took off. For the finale he played not only on his famous vibraphone, but also joined the pianist in playing with four hands and then upstaged the drummer with – I believe – pure improvisation. It was a great night, what can I say – it was the famous Peter Appleyard and his band!
Last year Peter played at the Jazz Festival in Waterloo in July – hopefully he will visit again this summer. Since I heard Peter Appleyard for the first time in Oakville in the mid 80’s I would not miss it for the world. Many happy returns, Peter!
