Festive music is cheerful, joyous and celebrates an abundance of life
Coloratura Liza Beamish
Internationally-acclaimed Australian operatic soprano Lisa Gasteen, renowned for her performances of the works of Wagner was one of 850+ people praising the program and performances at the final concert in Brisbane City Council’s Music that Resonates Series for 2009 at St Johns Cathedral yesterday. ‘It was a wonderful program’ said Lisa ‘ I enjoyed every minute’ she said.
Her warm congratulations supported hundreds of others flooding in for performances by singers Liza Beamish, Milica Ilic and Peter Vance as well as organist and pianist Greg Hartay Szabo, Brass Roots Live and 10 year old boy soprano Jeremy Beamish who stole all hearts with his delightful version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber hit song from the ‘Snowman’, Walking in the Air.
‘I had goose bumps listening to Liza and Milica singing Jerusalem the Holy City and the Flower Duet from Lakme’, said Cathedral guide Ann Stevenson…’ and what about Liza singing Let the Bright Seraphim and Milica Rejoice Greatly.
They were amazing‘ she said. The works certainly allowed full range to both glorious coloratura voices. ‘You could have heard a pin drop’, said one of the ushers, ‘everyone was so enraptured’.
‘For me it was the duet of Liza and Milica singing Jerusalem, the Holy City and Liza and Peter singing Amigos Pare Siempre…that really was the icing on the cake‘ said President of the Metropolitan Bands Association Helen Hall ‘I had chills running up and down my back it was so superb. ‘…when everyone joined in the chorus of Do You Hear the People Sing I thought I would burst’ said Helen ‘it was so moving’ she added.
‘The crowd was astonishing and so generous’ said Cathedral Verger Michael Dodson after the show. ‘do people always arrive at 9:15 for an 11am concert? By 10am we were over half full’ he said. ‘I thought the whole show was fabulous’ Michael said.
St John’s restoration of its grand Edwardian era organ proved the money had been well spent as it was showcased magnificently by the brilliant playing of Bach’s great Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Greg Hartay Szabo. Greg, organist at Albert Street Uniting Church on Sunday’, was pleased present this superb work of the master composer to a whole new audience of people. Bach’s works are undergoing a renaissance around the world following the growing success of Canadian rock music critic Eric Siblin’s award winning book The Cello Suites, a must for everyone’s Christmas stocking.
The Music that Resonates series was presented by Brisbane City Council in event partnership with participating Brisbane churches and its two Cathedrals in 2009, it’s 150th anniversary year. Everyone was very relaxed and very happy as they were leaving and if we touched a heart and left a spirit soaring then we succeeded.
Carolyn McDowall, Compere and Producer, Festive Music at St Stephens (October 27) & St John’s (November 24) Cathedrals 2009
Carolyn McDowall
Compere and Producer
Rejoice Greatly at St John’s Cathedral November 24, 2009
Related posts:
Discussion
No comments for “…touching a heart and sending a spirit soaring”