photo by Just Lorraine PhotoCGFD@aol.com

 

 

Ocean Aires Eleven – Classical Goes to the Movies

– by Sherri Rase

 

 

Isaac Steven Vaughan’s annual labor of love is now in its eleventh outing.  Classical Music at the Movies was this year’s theme with our perennially lovely hostess, Philomena.

 

Resplendent in her raven, beaded Act One gown, Philomena swept across the stage with dynamic flare.  The stage was bedecked with flower plants and trees courtesy of Michael at Garden Grove and Isaac with Eric Martin played in our own newly crowned Homecoming Queen, Urban Sprawl, with a florid version of “God Save the Queen”.  Waving urbanely to the crowd, our Queen opened the festivities with a flourish.

 

George McGarvey’s tender rendition of “Lungi dal caro bene” accompanied by Isaac on piano was a refreshing way to begin the concert.  Warm and humid outside, cool inside, George’s rendition of the work that Rufus Wainright made famous in film, accompanied by his winning smile, brought everyone’s attention forward.

 

Jacqueline Jonee’s virtuosity was beautifully visible in her performance of “An der schonen blauen Donau”, by Strauss.  You may recall this piece from 2001:  A Space Odyssey, but I will recall it for the deft tintinnabulation as Jacqueline’s fingers moved lightly over the keys.  Bedecked in a sumptuous black and silver beaded dress, she was a constellation of inspiration.

 

Rosemary Palladino performed a beautiful rendition of “M’appari (Ah, so fair)” from von Flotow’s opera “Martha”.  Her heartfelt performance called to mind the joys of late spring, which are multiplied with the contemplation of the charms of the one you love.

 

W. John Bainbridge made a triumphant return to Ocean Aires with a performance of Satie’s Gymnopedie.  The soothing sounds were an excellent programming counterpoint to the flanking selections.

 

Bizet’s duet from “The Pearl Fishers” was ably done by Cherry Grove resident Eric Coyne’s resonant bass deliciously contrasting with David Ekstrom’s beautiful tenor.  Gene Rohrer provided bravura accompaniment on this Act One closer where two men determine that their passion for the same woman is not going to come between their friendship.  Hmmm, the mind reels!

 

After a brief intermission, David Auxier, baritone, returns to Ocean Aires with Chris-Ian Sanchez’s as tenor on the delightful duet “We’re Called the Gondoliers” that many sharp filmophiles may recall from “The Talented Mr. Ripley”.  This well matched duo sang with brio and great verve, with Eric Martin providing piano accompaniment.

 

Eric was joined by Isaac for their performance of Ivanovici’s Donauellen with Isaac performing on the accordion. Eric’s piano line and Isaac’s accordion line moved around one another like a German version of a tango, in beautiful motion.

 

Bernard Herrmann’s excerpt from the opera that never was, “Salaambo’s Aria” from Citizen Kane, was given a new twist by soprano Sherri Rase (yep, that’s me).  Gene Rohrer supplied an orchestra’s worth of drama in a piano transcription, with the penultimate high C being accompanied by an airhorn, in homage to the movie from whence it came.  There is no commercially available music for this, so much gratitude is lavished on both the original transcription-ist as well as Gene for everything from phonetic Phrench to expert adaptation.

 

Clarence Perry, a staple of Ocean Aires, played Rachmaninoff’s “Elegy, Opus 3, Number 1” with a restrained fire and passion.  Clarence provided freshness after the drama of the previous number and brilliant contrast.

 

The finale of the evening was Rossini’s “Duetto buffo di due gatti” with Ruth and Susan Freedner as our Prima Felinas.  They were accosted variously by David Auxier and Chris-Ian Sanchez as carousing stray-Toms complete with wine bottles and then Eric Coyne and David Ekstrom as Toms with a different agenda.  Both pairs were soundly rejected with much hissing and spitting from our twin Divinas!  Ultimately, the feline serenade, with all dramatis personae sporting rhinestone embellished – what else – cat eye spectacles and all ended in tonal, if not dramatic accord.

 

The bows and accolades were made and the audience and cast mingled at a post-concert champagne reception with some most amazing strawberries.  Many thanks to Isaac Steven Vaughan and the Arts Project of Cherry Grove, Jane Haber show liaison.  It was a most memorable evening with moments we will never forget.

 

Mark your calendars for next year when Isaac brings Ocean Aires – the Dirty Dozen.  Twelve classical artists direct from the beach, still covered with sand and oil….mmm, I can hear the ocean already!