sneak peek

REVIEW: Featuring Grammy award-winning mezzo-soprano Krista River and special guest musicians, A Far Cry ended season with a stirring ‘Sunset’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Having witnessed A Far Cry’s triumphant return to performing live and in person last September as they kicked off their 15th season with Circle of Life, it was an honor and fitting to review Sunset, A Far Cry’s final concert of the season.  Sunset was originally scheduled for March 2020 and this Grammy-nominated, self-directed chamber orchestra was thrilled to finally present it onstage.  With a heartfelt introduction by Sarah Darling, Boston-based A Far Cry brought a diverse repertoire of suspense, tragedy, and soaring vocals by mezzo-soprano Krista River before joining a collection of promising musicians including Project STEP for a robust finale.

A Far Cry criers at Jordan Hall Boston MA Photo credit to A Far Cry

Following opening group Project STEP, A Far Cry took the gorgeous Jordan Hall stage in Boston, MA for their final concert on Friday, May 13 for 90 minutes with no intermission.  A Far Cry will cap off their 15th season with a Spring Soiree on June 1 at the Nathaniel Allen Center for Arts and Culture in Newton, MA.  The event includes a sneak peek of next season, outdoor cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a charity auction with the option to attend in person or virtually.  Click here for more information and here for a look at A Far Cry’s upcoming season.

Grammy-nominated Chamber Orchestra A Far Cry Photo courtesy of A Far Cry

Elegantly dressed in flowing dresses and suits, A Far Cry opened their final concert with all 18 criers for Julius Eastman’s Joy Boy.  A piece likened to the feeling of falling in love, Joy Boy has a trickling and mounting intensity as the orchestra gradually comes to life.  It is fascinating to watch the ebb and flow in Joy Boy’s soothing opening rhythms which escalate to a gripping crescendo before lulling into its resonating finale.

Imagine moments before a stunning discovery in a suspenseful film.  That’s the escalating tension built around Lutoslawski’s fiery Musique Funebre, Spanish for Funeral Music.  A Far Cry performs this chilling and somber dirge with rich, Hitchcockian flair enhanced by a stroke of the viola and plucking, creeping rhythms.  Fueled by searing drama and violin-tinged, pulsing urgency, A Far Cry plays furiously to bring this masterful work to an exciting and astounding climax that might leave you with a few goose bumps by the finale.

‘Il Tramonto Photo credit to Sarah Darling/A Far Cry

Led by Grammy award-winning mezzo-soprano Krista River’s airy and soaring vocals, A Far Cry took on Respighi’s classic piece, Il Tramonto, which is an Italian phrase translated as The Sunset.  It is a popular piece having been featured in films such as the western classic, The Good the Bad and the Ugly.  Adorned in a shimmering blue gray gown with her hair swept into an updo, River’s expressive vocals and her stirring countenance brings out the surreal poignancy of this tragic romance.  Based on a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley, Il Tramonto has a moving story behind it and possibly inspired by a real life disaster in Indonesia. 

Mezzo-soprano Krista River Photo credit to A Far Cry

A Far Cry recalled how music has been “cathartic journey” and like many in the arts and beyond, the love for the arts has been tested, especially in the last few years.  Joined by promising musicians in New England Conservatory, NEC Prep, and Project STEP, A Far Cry brought this concert to a robust and wondrous close with Vicente Lusitano’s Aspice Domine and Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on a Theme, the latter dedicated to an inspiring teacher that encouraged young musicians to pursue their musical aspirations.  Highlighted by a duo of skilled violinists, this group of musicians brought A Far Cry’s 15th season to a glorious close with a mix of fragility, power, and a stirring finale.

Students in Project STEP Photo credit to Project STEP/A Far Cry

A Far Cry will cap off their 15th season with a Spring Soiree on June 1 at the Nathaniel Allen Center for Arts and Culture in Newton, MA.  The event includes a sneak peek of next season, outdoor cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a charity auction with the option to attend in person or virtually.  Click here for more information and here for a look at A Far Cry’s upcoming season.

WGBH’s ‘A Celtic Sojourn,’ tributes to Billy Joel & Broadway part of SSC’s ‘Evenings Under the Stars’ concert series

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Each summer for over the past twenty years, South Shore Conservatory has been making peerless, sparkling moonlit nights spectacular with a wide variety of live concert performances each Saturday night in July.  South Shore Conservatory’s Evenings Under the Stars made its sold-out concert return on July 8 and will continue its themed music performances through July 29 at the Jane Carr Amphitheater in Hingham, Massachusetts.  The Evening Under the Stars Festival Orchestra traditionally kicked off the season on July 8 with acclaimed conductor Nicholas Palmer as South Shore Conservatory presented Out of this World with Mozart!  Click here for ticket information and further details.

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Nicholas Palmer conducting the EUS Festival Orchestra, Photo Courtesy of Denise Maccaferri

Led by conductor Nicholas Palmer, Evening Under the Stars explored the renowned works of Mozart, featuring a special performance of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K.622 with South Shore Conservatory clarinet faculty member and guest soloist Peter Bianca.  Prior to the performance, audience members enjoyed a pre-concert reception which is purchased separately.  It includes special sneak peek performances, appetizers, parking pass, and a chance to mingle with the artists.  Nicholas Palmer led the opening night pre-concert talk.  A pre-concert reception is available at every Evenings Under the Stars concert.  Click here for more information.

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Guest soloist and SSC Faculty member, Peter Bianca, Courtesy of South Shore Conservatory

On July 15, Evenings Under the Stars proudly welcomes back WGBH’s A Celtic Sojourn with Brian O’Donovan featuring an exciting lineup of traditional and contemporary Celtic performances.  Brian O’Donovan will deliver a talk at the pre-concert reception.  Catch Brian O’Donovan every Saturday afternoon on 89.7 WGBH on online at 3 p.m.  Follow A Celtic Sojourn on Facebook.

WGBH’s Brian O’Donovan, courtesy image of WGBH
Josh Pinkham, Photo courtesy of John Pinkham
Windborne Singers, who will perform for WGBH’s ‘A Celtic Sojourn’ Photo courtesy of the Windbourne Singers

With indelible hits such as Always a Woman, Uptown Girl, Movin’ Out, Piano Man among many others, Billy Joel has made an indelible mark in music in his over 50 year career.  Jon Abrams, singer, pianist, and Broadway star of Billy Joel’s hit musical, Movin’ Out, will pay tribute to Billy Joel for one night only, taking the stage with original Billy Joel guitarist David Brown and six Boston-based musicians on July 22.  Learn how the Billy Joel tribute band came to be during the evening pre-concert reception.

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Billy Joel Tribute – Jon Abrams Photo courtesy of Jon Abrams

On July 29, Evenings Under the Stars closes its summer series with a showcase of classic Broadway tunes with Beguiled Again:  The Songs of Rodgers and Hart.  Featuring former and present South Shore Conservatory faculty members including Beth Canterbury, Beth MacLeod Largent, Sarah Troxler, Devon Morin, and Holly Jennings as well as a festive chorus, enjoy live performances of My Funny Valentine, My Romance, The Lady is a Tramp, and more.

Holly Marshall, photo by Denise Maccaferri
Beth Largent, photo by Denise Maccaferri
Singers revel in the outdoor stage during Evening Under the Stars summer season, Photo courtesy of South Shore Conservatory

All concerts take place rain or shine at Jane Carr Amphitheater, One Conservatory Drive in Hingham, Massachusetts. See the South Shore Conservatory’s summer spotlight concert series at affordable prices. Click here for more information on South Shore Conservatory or call 1-781-749-7565, ext. 22.  Follow South Shore Conservatory on Facebook and Twitter.