Last night and this afternoon, the choir performed The Poet's Song, a number of works inspired by great poetry through the ages. One of my very talented friends was performing in her first season with Melodia, and I went along in support.
The Mary Flagler Carey Hall is downstairs at the Di Menna Center, a modern performance venue (for decidedly un-modern music), and home to the Orchestra of St Luke's. According to the description outside the Hall, Mary Flagler Carey "cared deeply about the training and well-being of orchestral musicians" and when she died, her family trust named the rehearsal and performance space in her honour. As 4pm neared, the waiting area lounge grew more congested, and I gazed around the room at the people of all ages who clearly shared Mary Flagler Carey's passion.
While the Melodia Women's Choir is supported, in part, by public funds they rely heavily on private donations too. But trust me when I tell you, this group is not an amateur production. The choristers and the musicians accompanying them are top-shelf performers with excellent pedigree. All-black attire, staring almost unblinkingly at the conductor and obeying her every direction. Taken independently, they are impressive. But put them together, and they are a slick ensemble act.
And what struck me most as I read through the program is that singing and playing instruments are an add-on to the lives of these talented women. They all have regular 9-5 jobs and their involvement in the Choir is partly because they love it, but also because their lives have always had a creative outlet of some kind.
Today's program marked the end of the choir's current season, and they won't perform together again until around November. As their farewell gesture, their season-ending performance ran the gamut of Biblical and sacred themed poetry, to Shakespearean orchestral work, a jaunty tarantella instrumental interlude, a couple of nonsense poems, and a rousing finale of musical theater and jazz numbers. The enthusiasm of the audience, combined with the acoustics of the venue made for very rousing applause at the end.
I was really proud to have the chance to hear my friend sing today, both in a brief solo and also as part of a group. While no reminder was needed, the Melodia Women's Choir is nevertheless an excellent example of the breadth and depth of the talent that resides in this amazing city.
