Music when done right is cathartic. Last night The Irish Sopranos accompanied by Didsbury, England violinist Jane Hunt, provided a cathartic experience for my neighbor Joel and me. We listened to the three soaring voices of the lovely ladies and the nimble fingering of the beautiful violinist and giggled, cried, sighed and had dopey smiles plastered on our faces. The music selections, the flawless phrasing of the gorgeous voices all came together to make us feel, feel deeply. Thank you ladies for the emotional workout.
Last night was the Hot Springs Village Concerts’ Association opening night for The Irish Sopranos. The ladies will be at the Woodlands Auditorium for three more nights. Tickets are available at www.hsvtickets.com. My recommendation is get your tickets immediately after finishing my review. This has been a fabulous season for the Concerts’ Association and The Irish Sopranos added another layer of tastiness to the season.
Wendy Dwyer, Kay Lynch and Deirdre Masterson have taken their classical music training and their Irish roots and made a show that will please everyone. The ladies gave a nod to performing in America by starting the concert with The Battle Hymn of the Republic and ending with God Bless America. Both were beautiful arrangements expertly performed.
Although all three ladies are sopranos, each voice is very distinct and all blend well to make a powerful and pleasing sound. Masterson is a mezzo soprano or dramatic soprano giving a solid foundation to the music with her warm Mother Earth tones. Lynch is a lyric soprano supplying the upper end of the trio with never a splat or a flat. Dwyer is the versatile working horse soprano equally comfortable on the high and low notes of a soprano. All three voices are beautiful and the blend is perfection.
The concert last night was a masterful blend of familiar Irish tunes and classical arias. Hunt soloed several times giving the Sopranos an opportunity to change evening gowns. Hunt is a violin virtuoso called the Violin Venus. Hunt is not only a fabulous performer, she is a composer of note. To read more about her go to www.violinvenus.com. Her rendition of Nessun dorma had me on the edge of my seat and my heartbeat slowed to capture the phrasing.
Some of the selections by The Irish Sopranos included The Water is Wide, Barcarolle, Danny Boy, I Believe, Funiculi, Funicula and so many more. Every selection was well executed leaving the audience wanting more.
The only complaint I have is that the sopranos dove right in to each number and did not give the audience enough time to clap its approval. Last nights audience could have clapped lots more in appreciation. The show was tender, meaty and succulent. Again, thanks ladies for the emotional workout and the praiseworthy feast.
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