By Kathryn Olsen
With much of the world sheltering in place, there is a tremendous need for artistic outreach and two members of Ping and Woof Opera, a company based out of Beaverton, Oregon has brought the world into a small space with their April 14 live broadcast concert of “All Nature Sings.” Soprano Jocelyn Claire Thomas and her baritone husband, Zachary Lennox, teamed up with pianist Brian Thomas for an unforgettable night of music from across several cultures and centuries.
This concert was a live recording of their CD, but while the music was exuisite, the real joy was in experiencing the chemistry and personality that comes with witnessing music as a form of storytelling. The pair opened with “La ci darem la mano” from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart‘s Don Giovanni in a duet that is thrilling to a besotted young woman and to the advantage of the man trying to woo her while the audience, aided by translations on the site, are able to appreciate the comedy of the moment. Drawing upon The Magic Flute by that composer, they performed “In Men Who Feel in Love,” a humorous duet about two people seeking true love with anyone but each other. Their final duet is the popular Barcarolle from Jacques Offenbach‘s The Tales of Hoffman and is a serene and loving expression of hope that nature will smile on their love.
Individually the performers are versatile and undeniably captivating. Each performed individual art songs in various languages and Thomas’ performance explores the extremes of the emotional spectrum. In “Mandoline” from the Five Melodies of Venice by Gabriel Faure, she trippingly admires the different ways in which love is seen throughout life and her interpretation of the music is whimsical. On the other hand, she tackles the “Standchen” by Franz Schubert with aching melancholy. One of the most memorable moments of the night was when she performed “Do You Know Him” by Andre Previn unaccompanied; this piece, composed for famed soprano Kathleen Battle, is challenging in its range and contemporary style and Thomas was a master of the work.
Lennox’s greatest effect is in his rapid-fire changeability. As Papageno in The Magic Flute, he is a giddy optimist and he is the consummately wily Don Giovanni. He threw himself into the intimate storytelling of an unfortunate encounter with Cupid in Mozart’s “In A Lonely, Sombre Forest,” but is nostalgic and searching in Ralph Vaughan Williams‘ setting of Robert Louis Stevenson‘s “Whither Must I Wander?”
The entire evening is made possible by the steady and skilled accompaniment of Brian Thomas. This pianist is master of each piece and a joy to hear in each musical genre, while never overpowering the other musicians.
This was a one-night event, but Ping and Woof has a rich repertoire in their past and wonderful performances to come. For accessible and memorable music for people of all ages and backgrounds, check their Facebook page for the video recording of this extraordinary concert and look forward to more ways to make life a more joyful place.
Ping and Woof Opera Presents All Nature Sings
Apr 14, 2020, 7 PM
Tickets: Free
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