I look forward to the American premiere of Nancy van de Vate, All Quiet on the Western Front - Remarques antiwar masterpiece - Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 8pm at Roulette in Brooklyn (509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, near BAM). Dr. van de Vate is an excellent craftsman and writes passionately, with exquisite precision. Saturday, March 15, 2014, at 8pm, I heard a full orchestral and choral production of Giacomo Puccins Turandot in the 11th season of the Metro Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Philip Nuzzo, its founder. He assembled a first-class orchestra of professional performers, backed by the very fine Brooklyn Conservatory Chorale (directed by Nelly Vuksic), Our Lady of Guadalupes Childrens Choir and Leif Erikson Day School Junior Choir, held at the 1500-seat Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Brooklyn (858 Pacific St., near Clinton- Washington C subway). Turandot, which was Puccinis last piece - Franceso Alfano completed the score - is spectacular when fully staged (this was not), and has gained a secure place in the repetoire of 20th century operas. The soloists - Therese Panicali as Turandot, John Horton Murray as Calaf, Yu Jung Bae as Liu, and Mikhael Svetlov as Timur, (leading a cast of nine) were excellent - several have performed with the Metropolitan Opera and other major companies, including lead roles. Ms. Panicali has a powerful soprano; Mr. Murray, immaculate vocal control; and, Ms. Bae, a velvety tone. Mr. Svetlov has an enormous voice. Although called a chamber orchestra, forty-five instruments performed (led by concertmaster Una Tone and contractor/horn Patty Schmitt), which produced a full sound. I was most impressed by the lovely sound and tight ensemble. This Turandot, although unstaged, was a very worthy performance. ... (Mark Greenfest, independent reviewer, advance copy for SoundWordSight, an internet-based cultural arts magazine.)
Posted on: Wed, 30 Apr 2014 19:54:48 +0000
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