Oh Be Joyful

 

A couple of weeks ago my friend, Rachael, invited me to go to the opening night of the Houston Symphony’s 2011/12 season.  More specifically it was Beethoven’s 9th Symphony (aka: Ode to Joy), which I had never seen in live performance!! This was also a chance to check off another venue from my “Places to See Concerts in Houston” list (having already gone to the Wortham, Alley Theater, Verizon Theater, and Fitzgeralds).  This year I’m hoping to make it to the ballet to knock another one off… any takers?

 

Getting prepped!

 

Here is the full symphony if you are interested in listening/watching.  Conductor Leonard Bernstein leads the Vienna Philharmonic with soloists Gwyneth Jones, Shirley Verrett, Placido Domingo, and Martti Talvela.  (This is actually the third of three clips but it’s the finale… watch all of them if you have the time though!)  

 

Rachel and I after the show!

 

And, because I still listen to this song about once a week, a different arrangement of the above music… and in my opinion, a much more technically demanding version to boot.  I mean, did Beethoven ever write a rap?  Check and mate.

 

Sheryl Lee Ralph! Lauryn Hill! Sign language! Jaw tension! Gospel music!  And that’s just in the first ten seconds alone!!!

 

Artist: Frank Wildhorn/ Album: The Civil War

You’ll Never Walk Alone

 

I came home from work today I was saddened to find that Shirley Verrett, opera star of the highest order and voice teacher at University of Michigan, had passed away.  The word “diva” could (and should) most definitely apply to her, but not in a pejorative sense at all.  Even in her late 70’s I remember seeing her strutting down the hallway at the school of music in her high heels and make-up done to perfection.  Fierce doesn’t even begin to describe it.

I didn’t really have many personal interactions with her at school, which I of course regret.  She did, however, pull me aside during a rehearsal for La boheme one evening and gave me such a wonderful compliment and words of encouragement that I will carry with me always.

Please watch this.  It’s one of the most beautiful pieces of music sung by one of the greatest opera singers. Honestly.

Click here for here New York Times obit.

Artist: Shirley Verrett/ Album: Carousel (Revival)