TrulyGrace

St. Paul's Cathedral Centenary--Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh

This Wednesday evening the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra launched the inaugural concert for St. Paul Cathedral's Centenary celebration. They performed to a packed Cathedral, which seats more than a thousand. I was joined by my parents, and William and Marissa.

After some brief introductory remarks, including some by Bishop Donald Wuerl; Sir Gilbert Levine deftly conducted the evening's presentation of Haydn's Creation, which had not been presented in Pittsburgh for several decades. The symphony was accompanied by three soloists; Janice Chandler-Eteme, Stuart Neill, and John Relyea; and by the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, who collectively provided the necessary vocal power for this piece within the Cathedral's gothic space. There were breath-defying vocal passages by the soloists. Ms. Chander-Eteme was enchanting; she projected even the highest notes through the arching, vaulted, sacred spaces of the Cathedral. Mssrs. Neill and Relyea filled the Cathedral spaces with their strong tenor and deep bass tones, respectively. All the musicians held us in rapt attention throughout the evening, and the audience applauded only for the major parts; as we restrained our applause for the particularly difficult passages.

In all, the evening was wonderfully enjoyable--Maestro Levine conducted the world-class PSO, accompanied by the gifted soloists and the Mendelssohn choir in the wonderful space of St. Paul's Cathedral; which was full of the appreciative, standing ovation audience.

I saw my friend Rachel in the choir...perhaps I will see if she will be going to the Notre Dame Chorale's Mass and concert tomorrow evening.

posted by Grace @ 1/13/2006 08:03:00 AM