In 2017, Cincinnati audiences heard sensational performances by living legends, as well as musical rarities and world premieres. This year’s list – a baker’s dozen — highlights some musical milestones, such as Cincinnati Opera’s first opera by a woman, as well as some of my personal favorites of the past year.Read More »
Tag: vocal Arts Ensemble
VAE’s ‘Candlelit Christmas’ a radiant celebration of the season
The Vocal Arts Ensemble’s annual Candlelit Christmas concert offered transformative choral treats spanning centuries and continents.
Sunday’s concert in Over-the-Rhine’s Memorial Hall was packed – the third sellout of the season. And small wonder. The all-professional vocal ensemble has developed a following for its inventive programs and peerless execution.
With the collaboration of the Canterbury Brass, this program captured the holiday spirit with a few entertaining and humorous selections, too. Who could ever forget the brass quintet’s “Twelve Days of Christmas”? The clever arrangement by Howard Cable altered the lyrics to include “some brass music on a CD,” with a dozen snippets from the classical hit parade played by the brass musicians between verses. The audience cheered.Read More »
Three shows in two days
Or, how I spent my weekend… Last night, I took in a ravishing concert by the Vocal Arts Ensemble in Memorial Hall. Here’s a teaser:
The Vocal Arts Ensemble’s survey of American music on Saturday night was a journey of pristine singing and expressive beauty. But it was the final group of spirituals — when the chorus whooped it up in “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel” and “Battle of Jericho” — that galvanized listeners, and we came to know the range of possibilities under new director Craig Hella Johnson. Read the full review here.
Soon, I’ll be heading down to the Aronoff to see “Peter Pan” with Cincinnati Ballet, danced to a sweet score by Carmon DeLeone. Then I’m hopping over to CCM to see the Academy of Ancient Music perform Bach’s Orchestral Suites.
By the way, did you see the story about the Corbett Foundation’s final gift? $1 million is going to CCM’s Opera Department.
Other news last week:
Cincinnati is in the running for a major conference of international museums.
The Cincinnati Pops is getting ready to go on the road in December.
And Jake Heggie and his creative team will be in town next week to workshop his new opera. “Great Scott.”
