A Child of Our Time, Concert Reviews.
I hope you had the chance to come out to the concert this weekend! It was a truly moving work with amazing soloists. Here’s what the Salt Lake Tribune had to say:
Lockhart has recruited a first-class quartet of soloists: soprano Indra Thomas, mezzo Marietta Simpson, tenor Russell Thomas and bass-baritone Derrick Parker. All sang with keen musical focus and emotional conviction on Friday, but Indra Thomas was first among equals, thanks largely to her stunning delivery of the spiritual “O, By and By.” The Utah Symphony Chorus, impeccably prepared by Susanne Sheston, also sang with dramatic power and clear diction.
- The Salt Lake Tribune
What did you think of the concert? Leave your review in the comments!
Posted in Keith Lockhart, Masterworks Performances, Utah Symphony
April 25th, 2011 at 11:34 am
My wife and I attended Utah Symphony and Utah Symphony Chorus‘ magnificent performance of “A Child of Our Time” on Saturday evening. The symphony and chorus were conducted by Keith Lockhart, in his last appearance as Music Director Emeritus.
Sir Michael Tippett used African-American spirituals in the work to tie together the themes of oppression, hope and deliverance between World War II-era Jews and blacks of the Civil War era. The juxtaposition of the two races’ struggles worked amazing well and engaged the audience with a powerful theme.
The symphony and the chorus handled the material in their usual superb manner. I felt that their performance was full of the passion that Tippett instilled in the work. The featured artists – who included one of my favorite baritones, Derrick Parker – gave amazingly powerful and equally impassioned performances, as well.
After the oratorio, we had the pleasure of meeting Glenn, one of the chorus members. He told us of his experience in learning and getting to know the piece. It was interesting to hear a performer’s first-hand account and to see how touching and moving it was to him.
In all, it was an excellent performance and a strong note for Mr. Lockhart’s final performance with the symphony.