Arts Editor Dottie Ashley on DollHouse: "The tragic outcome of good intentions gone awry is etched on the face of Povinelli as, consumed by grief, he hurls his 4-foot 11-inch body out into the aisle of the theater, desperately asking where his wife has gone. The audience is visibly shaken, as Breuer's imaginative directing grabs the heart. Is it worth it to do what is considered the proper thing, or should you defy propriety and hold onto what you truly treasure?"
Dottie on Savion Glover:"There are no sophisticated shades of Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly in Glover's creatively honed style which reaches back to when slaves used rhythm pounded out by their feet to communicate across the plantations after their drums were taken away. Later, in his 40 minute solo, as Glover dances and sings "The Way You Look Tonight," he goes into a jazz waltz, with the exuberance of one who celebrates life. But then he slows the tempo like a clock winding down and collapses to the floor.
William D. Gudger on Basil Twist's La bella dormente nel bosco: "No thesaurus will yield enough synonyms for 'charming' and 'delightful' to describe Basil Twist's production of Ottorino Respighi's La bella dormente nel bosco... Among the singing cast there were two standouts: Nicole Heaston as the beautiful princess and Olga Makarina in the double roles of the Nightingale and the Blue Fairy. These two sopranos had voices made of seamless velvet..."
Dianne Sprung on Ugly American: "If the Bard will forgive a bit of tampering, a Daisey by any other name would smell as sweet. The reference belongs to Mike Daisey, who opened 'Turns' on Saturday night with his "Ugly American" routine, directed by his wife, Jean-Michele Gregory."
Mary Solomon on the Lovell Sisters: "There were no printed programs to go by, which is always a bummer, but the good sound system enabled us to hear most of what was said on stage.
Carol Furtwangler on John Kennedy's Music in Time series: "When you walk into one of John Kennedy's "Music in Time" concerts,
you'd best be prepared for not only the latest in contemporary music,
but the most exciting. The first of the four-program series did not disappoint Saturday
afternoon at the College of Charleston's Recital Hall, which was
gratifyingly full. I am not saying it stayed fulll ... but some of us remember the first audiences 15 years ago --
sparse indeed -- and are glad Kennedy, with his boyish good looks and
boundless enthusiasm, has persevered, becoming a staple of Spoleto...".
Lindsay Koob on Piccolo Spoleto's Spotlight Series opener: "This evening was also the precursor to another intriguing series of Piccolo events showcasing Jewish music and culture, to be offered at various locations today and Monday. You may be assured of great music played by outstanding musicians at any of them."
Oops, I posted my comments below in the wrong category a few minutes ago. My bad. Forgive? Here's what I wrote:
Maybe this year someone will finally recognize or acknowledge the Antioch Chamber Ensemble that will be performing tomorrow, Sat May 27, St. Philip's Church, 3 PM? This prestigous group, most of them former Westminster Choir College graduates, members of the Westminster Choir under Dr. Flummerfelt, deserve to be acknowleged by those covering the Piccolo Spoleto Festival after performing for 5 years in a row!
Antioch also performed at the American Choral Directors Association conference, Eastern Division, in Manhattan, NY this Spring. They also were the ensemble-in-residence at Trinity Church, Wall Street, Manhattan, for several years. They released their second CD, Winter Songs, featuring the Mid-Winter Songs by contemporary American composer Morten Lauridsen,in December of 2003. Mr. Lauridsen has said of the recording, “Antioch is certainly in the top rank of a cappella choirs in the United States… I recommend this CD most highly, especially to choral aficionados". In June of 2005, Antioch toured for the first time, in beautiful Nova Scotia.
Every year I read about the same venues, many of them well-deserving of praise, but wouldn't it be prudent to turn an ear towards the young, up-and-coming talent such as Antioch, and other younger performers? Especially while they are presently performing for Piccolo Spoleto so the younger audience gets to know them? I'm afraid for the Festival's future if the younger, upcoming musical, choral artists are not introduced to the public. I think they deserve, especially Antioch given they are former Westminster choristers, some kind and maybe encouraging words from the press for their tremendous efforts to excel and entertain all Festival attendees over the last 5 years. Do I hear an Amen?
Posted by: Lady Clark | Friday, May 26, 2006 at 11:16 PM