It was truly “A Grand Night for Singing” on Friday evening July 9, at the St. Mary’s College of Maryland River Concert. The fourth concert in the series featured mezzo-soprano Olivia Vote, soprano Michelle B. Johnson and baritone Brian K. Major. Larry Vote, guest conductor, music professor and provost of St. Mary’s College of Maryland brought together some popular opera favorites that left the large crowd humming.
Larry has performed and conducted at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the National Gallery of Art. He conducts the college choirs and has had several very successful Messiah Concerts in December at the local Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
The Chesapeake Orchestra was superb as usual. Of particular note, were some brief solos by the saxophonist. Michelle B. Johnson, dressed in an elegant shining gown sang a splendid rendition of “Summertime”, a piece from “Madame Butterfly” and from Puccini’s “Tosca”. She has performed in Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall and Tanglewood Music Center. She has a gorgeous voice and used enchanting facial expressions. Olivia Vote performed “Habenera”, an aria from Bizet’s “Carmen”, in excellent French acted with lots of expression and fun. She engaged the audience in a lovely white gown with a long stemmed red rose.
Returning for a repeat performance after last year’s River Concert, Ms. Vote has appeared at the Alba Music Festival and The Opera Theater of St. Louis. Highlights from Brian K. Major’s performance included a powerful rendition of “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of La Mancha” and a memorable duet with Michelle B. Johnson from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess”, “Bess You is My Woman”.
The concert ended with an enjoyable version of the old popular favorite “Without a Song”, by all three vocalists. Next week’s River Concert on July 16th,”The Young and the Gifted II” features the winners of the Young Artist Competition, violinist Brian Hong and bassist Nina DeCesare performing with the Chesapeake Orchestra in Prokofiev’s “Symphony No. 5” , Wieniawski’s “Concerto for Violin” and “Many Rivers” by William Kleinsasser, inspired by St. Mary’s County. The author, Joanna Macaulay, is a professional photographer and music lover from Calm Reflections Photography. www.calmreflectionphotography.com.
