By Douglas Neslund
Maestro Grant Gershon and
the “full call” Master Chorale opened the 51st Season with a
sensational gamble: a performance of Richard Einhorn’s musical setting, “Voices
of Light,” to a 1927 silent movie by Carl Dryer entitled “The Passion of Joan
of Arc” projected above the Chorale, Orchestra, and five soloists.
Einhorn’s score is not so
tightly wedded to the film that it cannot be performed without it. On this
night, the composer was present, and enjoyed prolonged applause and
appreciation from the audience.
It is understatement to
say the film is enhanced by the music. Indeed, without it, such a movie with
its überdramatic focus on Joan’s face in all of its possible facets of pain and
suffering made it difficult to watch.
Actress Renée Jeanne Falconetti
demonstrated the narrow range of emotions of a naïve young woman put through
intense questioning by a “court” of sorts by leering priests, lawyers and
others who clearly relished the torture, up to and including her death by
immolation. The camera spent a lot of time transmitting Joan’s unrelenting
emotional turmoil in close-ups that, as the film approached its dénouement, was
finally too much and averting eyes were not uncommon in the large audience.
Musically, Einhorn’s
composition is well-crafted, focused and displays the composer’s fine sense of
the dramatic. The solo work, vocally and instrumentally, was excellent, most
notably by Concertmaster Roger Wilkie’s violin and John Walz’s ‘cello
contributions. The five vocalists included sopranos Hayden Eberhart and Claire
Fedoruk, mezzo-soprano Adriana Manfredi, tenor Daniel Chaney and baritone
Abdiel Gonzalez. Mr. Cheney’s voice has gained an extra measure of empathy
since last heard, that fits his assignments here to a particularly fine and
effective degree.
The Master Chorale
performed at its usual first-rate level, responding to Maestro Gershon’s every
request as they worked through the Latin and French libretto.
Images courtesy of Richard Einhorn @ richardeinhorn.com
I feel very fortunate to have experienced such a beautiful, spiritually moving live performance of composer Richard Einhorn’s “Voices of Light” inspired by "The Passion of Joan of Arc" which is considered one of the best legendary silent films of all time. I was moved to tears several times during this performance. Every aspect of this performance from composer Richard Einhorn to conductor Grant Gershon, along with the Master Chorale, and the 5 soloists made this performance exceptionally beautiful and awe-inspiring. I must add that tenor Daniel Chaney and mezzo soprano Adriana Manfredi were magnificent.
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