What a wonderful time we had tonight at the DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids, with two special friends who had bought us tickets. The house was 'packed!' This 80+ piece Symphony [over 20 full-time musicians]is known as one of the 'best' regional symphonies in the country. It was a remarkable way to begin the Christmas Season. It began with a 'Christmas Festival Overture that woke up anyone who had fallen asleep upon finding their seat. The First Noel, Mary Did You Know and O Come, O Come Emmanuel were sung by Leon Williams, an alumnus of the Harlem Boys Choir and graduate of the Juilliard School of Music. He is an operatic baritone and recently just returned from performing in St.Petersburg, Russia; then after 3 more numbers by the Symphony it was intermission time.
Following intermission the Symphony was joined by both the G.R. Symphony Chorus and the Junior Youth Chorus ............... and it was a treat as they sang many familiar Christmas carols. Again Leon Williams treated us to a couple of Christmas specials with the Symphony and voices. Then Santa made an appearance and went on to lead the 'whole' house in a 'holly jolly sing-along' of choruses. Then the finale - the incomparable, greatest musical piece ever composed by man, 'The Hallelujah Chorus' brought the house to a standing ovation! Every time I hear Handel's Messiah I am brought to tears and tingling nerve endings - the human language fails to have words to describe the experience. To say I enjoyed this evening would do an injustice to both my friends, who sponsored and accompanied us, do an injustice to the company/companionship of my wife, and an injustice to those who presented it .... to use an old phrase, 'it was simply marvelous darling!'
Following intermission the Symphony was joined by both the G.R. Symphony Chorus and the Junior Youth Chorus ............... and it was a treat as they sang many familiar Christmas carols. Again Leon Williams treated us to a couple of Christmas specials with the Symphony and voices. Then Santa made an appearance and went on to lead the 'whole' house in a 'holly jolly sing-along' of choruses. Then the finale - the incomparable, greatest musical piece ever composed by man, 'The Hallelujah Chorus' brought the house to a standing ovation! Every time I hear Handel's Messiah I am brought to tears and tingling nerve endings - the human language fails to have words to describe the experience. To say I enjoyed this evening would do an injustice to both my friends, who sponsored and accompanied us, do an injustice to the company/companionship of my wife, and an injustice to those who presented it .... to use an old phrase, 'it was simply marvelous darling!'
I always enjoy a good traditional Christmas concert. Last year, my wife and I planned on taking in a choral concert of German Christmas music. Alas, we were a day early at the Lutheran Church. Thus, we wound up watching I Am Legend. Nothing says "Happy Holidays," like Will Smith and zombies.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Sherm
ReplyDeleteI guess we can take comfort in the fact that even though Will gets done in by the zombies, the remnants of mankind are saved! That's a Christmas stretch!