Music

SRCS concert: Let’s Drink!

| edwinridout

June 25th, Stafford Regional Choral Society’s light opera concert, “Let’s Drink”, led by Jason Michael. Program: A Capella Overture, arr Andy Beck (Fidelio, Barber of Seville, Die Fledermaus, Magic Flute, Figaro, William Tell); Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, from Nabucco; the Drinking Song from the Student Prince; Finale from the Gondoliers; Humming Chorus from Madama Butterfly; Italian Street Song from Naughty Marietta; Polovetsian Maidens from Prince Igor; Soldiers’ Chorus from Gounod’s Faust; Anvil Chorus from Verdi’s Il Trouvatore; Stouthearted Men from New Moon. Concert stream may still be available on You-Tube below. Pictured above, front and center, director Jason Michael, and to his left, basses Ken Todd, William Schall, Arthur Les Johnson, Edwin Ridout, Jonathan Shell, then, in blue, accompanist Cathy Hoskins.

Cora’s Opera Debut

| edwinridout

Cora appearing in Semele at Wolf Trap — the wedding party fearing Jupiter’s lightning bolts. One critic said “Semele drags her heels to the altar, encouraged by a scene-stealing flower girl with impeccable comedic timing (Cora McCormick).”

Choral concert

| edwinridout

I sang with Fredericksburg Singers combined with two other choirs at University of Mary Washington. The main piece is Bob Chilcott’s setting of Native American poetry, accompanied by two pianos and percussion, about 40 minutes. Hear five minutes of another group’s recording below.

Messiah

| edwinridout

I enjoyed the great pleasure of singing with Fredericksburg Community Chorus’s two concerts Dec 3rd 2pm and 4th 7pm, with orchestra and eight soloists. The chorus did And the Glory, Purify, Oh Thou that Tellest, Unto Us, Glory to God, Lift Up, and Hallelujah followed immediately by the Great Amen. I had a good seat in the back row, next to David P the tallest bass.

Virtual Messiah

Image | | edwinridout

The Fredericksburg Community Chorus’s 51st annual Messiah had to be virtual. Although last year’s 50th performance was the complete Messiah, this year’s may have been the least complete (under 30 minutes!) See it on YouTube here. The anonymity of my preferred seat in the back row seemed somewhat diminished, as surely I must have spent at least a few moments under the director’s microscope. But the number of singers grew due to collaboration with the Williamsburg United Methodist choir. Photo by Elspeth.