Tonight's concert was led by the incredible Jane Glover conducting Music of the Baroque in a concert entitled "The Family Bach". It featured music by Johann Sebastian and three of his sons, Wilhelm Friedemann, Carl Philipp Emanuel, and Johan Christian.
As is always the case, Johann won.
The concert opened with his Sinfonia from Cantata No. 42. Jane Glover somehow can get 25 or so musicians to perform and sound like a single voice. Very expressive, sensitive playing is the norm with this group. They are so well rehearsed and conducted that it as if a single person was doing the playing. Wonderful.
This was followed by Adagio and Fugue for 2 Flutes and Strings in D Minor by Wilhelm Friedemann. A charming but light-weight work by Bach's eldest son.
Then came Johann's Violin Concerto No. 2 in E Major. This is a sensational work and was very well played by concert mistress Gina DiBello.
After the intermission we heard C.P.E.'s Flute Concerto in B-flat Major. Mary Stolper was the soloist for this. It's not that interesting a work by Bach's second son.
The concert ended with Symphony in G Minor, Op.6 No.6 by Johann Christian, the 'English' Bach.
Bach obviously produced a family of good musicians but he reigns supreme as the Master.
And Jane Glover brings every bit of his genius to the fore through her wonderful understanding of his music. Brava!
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Wednesday's matinée was Massenet's Don Quichotte at the Lyric Opera House.
Ferrucio Furlanetto was sensational in the title role. His rich, easy basso soared the heights and depths of the role both vocally and emotionally.
Clémentine Margaine was his Dulcinée. A rich voiced mezzo with a wide range, she portrayed a much more elegant, though no less sexy, woman from The Man of La Mancha role. I would love to hear her Carmen, which is one of her many roles.
Nicola Alaimo was Sancho Panza. His agile baritone voice work well in this role.
Other singers were Diana Newman as Pedro,Lindsay Metzger as Gervais, Alec Carlson as Juan, and Jonathan Johnson as Rodriguez. All sang very well and are fine singing actors.
The sets were designed by Ralph Funicello and were exceptional. The stage at the Lyric Opera has been there for a long time and does not have all the mechanical devices of the Met or of Broadway shows. Therefore, everything needs to be moved by hand. This was done fairly swiftly and the look of the sets was very fine.
Sir Andrew Davis was the conductor and led his band of musicians beautifully.
I must say a word about the acoustics in this hall. From where we were seatd in Row F they were perfect.
