Tonight we enjoyed another [you could catch up here] in the Dickinson Area Concert Association's season of concerts (in cooperation with Allied Concert Services): baritone Leon Williams with pianist Michael Fennelly.
(I'll give you a moment to check out all those links before proceeding . . . There:)
Williams sang a mix of Negro spirituals, operatic arias, French drinking songs, American classics, and hymns--quite a range! His voice is very pleasant, and his delivery was entertaining; his gestures, posture, and facial expressions always conveyed the meaning behind the words and helped to interpret the music. I even got a good sense of the meaning of the songs that he sung in foreign languages! (No surprise: he has stage experience performing in operas.)
We also enjoyed the occasional solos by Fennelly (the link above allows you to hear samples of his playing), which were quite impressive. My favorite was his extended Gershwin solo, but he was fantastic throughout. I noticed his alertness while accompanying, always keeping an eye on Williams and playing in reaction to or anticipation of Leon's changes in pace. He's a fast-talker, making his introductions of his solos difficult to decipher, but his talent was easy to understand.
The girls enjoyed the concert but were pooped out by the time we got home, asking permission to go straight to bed! Alas, we denied them that simple request in order to gather the family on our bed and announce Mommy's recent big news. Their reaction was decidedly low-key, perhaps in part because of their fatigue but also because of their obliviousness to family income. As long as they're safe, warm, clothed, well fed, and loved, they don't much care how much their parents are making or where they're working, I guess. And that's fine with us.
The music sounds very good! I remember going to those concerts as a teenager. They also, were very entertaining. I believe they were held at 1ST Lutheran Church in Tioga. (?)
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