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--ýConcert a benchmark presentation Ten ladies meet to try and organize a music appreciation club. Thirty-five years later and this little group has expanded to become the Nilîon Chori,ýtu- , fiic hfi !- 'X iliIlle addition Of Ille cihor ai eîtscîs bleu Wnmen of Note, and tise Georgetown Bachs Chorale. coupled with two highly- talented soloists, Sunday's concert held in tise acoustically-pleasing Royal Bank Hall of Mississauga~s Living Arts Centre was truly a benchmark presentation. Guest tenor Chris Fischer and soprano Deanna Sarkar offered tise audience anme of thse best-loved operatic arias. Works by Verdi, Donizetti, Bizet, Delibes, and Wagner were coupled with excerpts from tise pens of Gilbert & Sullivan. It was a well-balanced mix frnm tise opening Trovatore Anvil Chorus in tise Traviata Libiamo toasting finale. The Choristers demonstrated their vocal range as well as their cohesiveness with sueh challenges as tise difficult Prisoners' chorus from Fidelin; and especially the humming chorus from Madama Bunterfly. Lyrically. they successfully negotiated the demanding vocal range of G & S~s 'British Tar' from HMS Pinafore and tise tongue- twisting libretto sung by a certain higis- ranking officer in Pirates of Penzance. Conductor Sonja Van de Hoef 's arrange- ment of tise latter gave it addcd humour and zest, as did the group's incredible vocal synebronization. 'Meir Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco was sung with empathy and understanding. No won- der Italians of the composers 's era adopted it as a semi-anthem to their own desire for independence. Sharps Danny Gaisin Ms Sarkar's first selection was Mein Herr Marquis, the humorous aria from Die Fledermaus. Not only docs she possess a clear voice with full soprano range, she was also able to projeet explanatory action to help put the piece into context. H-er ren- dition of Min Babbino Caro was spectacu- lar. The piece defies many singers; the lyrics do flot scau to the music thus neces- sitating detailed phrasing. Ms Sarkar was then joined by mezzo-soprano Ms Van de Hoef, absenting herself from the podium and offering us the magniicent flower duet from Lakmé. There's a warm droîl moment in the Magic Flute, where two eharacters, botis doubting they'II ever fmd happiness, meet; faîl in love and plan their family future together. The aria, Papageno/Papagena, as interpreted by Ms Sarkar and Mr. Fischer was expressive and visually portrayed the brightened future the two protagonists dis- cover. They were a hoot! Both guests' pos- itive interaction was repeated in their dra- matic Boheme duet whercin Mimi accepts the ofièr of ininite affection, aibeit with reservations. Their duet was highly charged and sung with intensity. Then. as a finale, thse duo perfonned the rousing Libiamo from Traviata. For his solo renditions, Mr. Fischer gave us Il Mio Tesoro, froin Mozart's Don Giovanni. Sung in an dramnatie andante grazioso tempo, he imbued the emotion of Don Ottavio's aria. However, selecting with Heppncer, Carreras or Luciano P. hins- self, who have miade it their apogee themes. Hearing maestra Ms Van de Hoef's Habanera; seeing ber command of sucis a large group of talent, and being seated next to Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, a past conduc- tor of the Choristers; and spending an evening listening to opera favourites; truly a memorable event... even to a somewhat jaded reviewer. Bravo! Dannyv Gaisin can be reac'hed at dan- gaisinC)sývmpatico.ca. GEORGETOWN535p le kingtSm naerik Interested - in monthly income and a high degree otf safety of principal? Caîl me to discuss the BMO Nesbitt Burns BluePrintl Monthly Pay Portfolio. Diana Bristow, CFP, V.P. Senior LA. &Financiallartner BMO Nesbitt Burns ToIlifree: 1-866-512-4283 www.dianabristow.com BMO ( Nesbitt Burns- A member of SMO Fnanciai Groap "BMO (M-bar raundet symbol)' is a regstered trade-mark of Bank af Monreal, ased under licencer. "Nesbju DBuras" and 'BiaePrint" are regsered trade-marks af DMO Nesbitit Burns Corporation Limitpd, ased sioder licence. Member CtPF. June is Italian Month. From aur "International Solectian" Sorios. Buy any two ai: Barbaresco Mantepulciano Pinot GOngle Vordlcchia $3000 off 2"Bd batch SS42rMSL S. #2, m. (M) 810-940 Thursday, June l7th, 2004 Halton Healthcai 7:00 p.m. Oakville Conference & Banquet Centre - 2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville ~By-Law changes will be recommended. -w lj r Audited Financial Statements will be available at the meeting. Please cali the HHS Public Relations Office at 905-815-5100 for additional information. 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