Rose-Ellen Nichols, the mezzo soprano from Pender Harbour who recently returned from singing in Ireland's prestigious Wexford Festival Opera, looked every inch a diva as she commanded the stage last Sunday during Sunshine Coast Music Society's latest presentation. She was obviously enjoying her graduate solo recital on home turf with family and friends in the audience. The crowd at the Raven's Cry Theatre, though not huge, was obviously enjoying her performance as well. Nichols sang with Rena Sharon, a fine collaborative pianist who has shared the concert platform with such names as Ben Heppner and James Ehnes. Nichols, who graduated from the UBC School of Opera with a master's degree last spring, had studied in Sharon's song interpretation class. Sharon exhibited her dry wit when she remarked to the audience that there was a preponderance of tragedy in the repertoire of that day's concert.
"Misery goes along with the marvellous quality of voice for a mezzo soprano," she said.
Indeed, opening with German Wesendonck-Lieder by Wagner was a chance for Nichols to express her weltschmerz while dressed in a black taffeta gown like a tragic young widow. But the loveliness inherent in the lyrics of this music was better realized during her rendition of Faure's work. The three French songs were delightful, particularly Les Berceaux (Cradles) that spoke of ships cradled in the harbour and the women who cradle their babies as they wave the sailors goodbye. The theme is not far removed from Nichols' own Pender Harbour childhood.
For the second half, Nichols performed selections from Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, a tragic opera Vanessa and the popular Carmen. She closed with a dramatic rendition of three selections drawn from Saint Saens' Samson et Dalila. After performing a vibrant Carmen, Nichols switched characters to create a majestic Delilah intent on victory. The selections also showcased her range and brought the recital to a powerful conclusion.
The two encores were a surprise: the first, a Newfoundland folk song, the second, a gorgeous rendition of Over the Rainbow.
Festival of Wind MusicThis SC Music Society production will soon be followed by the third annual Festival of Wind Music, Feb. 7 to 8, sponsored by B.C. Ferries. The Society's president, Allan Crane, said the show has two components: the Saturday, Feb. 7, event at 8 p.m. features two groups, both local and both debut performances. On Sunday, Feb. 8, The Delta Concert Band, one of the Lower Mainland's top wind ensembles, will perform at 2:30 p.m.
Prominent among those who wrote chamber music for wind quintets was Franz Danzi, born in 1763, just seven years after Mozart, and part of the illustrious 18th century Mannheim School. The Coast Wind Ensemble begins with duets and ends with one of Danzi's delightful quintets in four movements written for flute, clarinet, oboe, French horn and bassoon. The players are: Sarah Harding, Yvonne Mounsey, Alice Westlake, Bev Burgoyne and John Storer. After the intermission on Saturday evening, the recently minted Coast Jazz Septet performs. Although this will be the group's first public appearance, the players are recognized as some of the area's most talented musicians: trumpet, John Frederickson; alto sax, Carl Montgomery; tenor sax, Ken Grunenberg; trombone, Bill Wishlow; piano, John Parker Tolson; bass, Boyd Norman; and drums, Tim Enns.
Tickets for the Festival of Wind Music at $10 per concert are available from the usual outlets and from the Coast Copy Centre on Cowrie Street, Sechelt.
