Their sound was absolutely beautiful, incredibly blended and with flawless ensemble. More importantly, they clearly had a passion for the music they were singing. One of the best concerts I've been to - can't wait to hear them again!
The acting truly was superb, with in my eyes a standout performance from Michelle Terry (right), who played the Princess of France, and Fergal McElherron, who played Costard. Both exemplified an expert use of physicality either facially, bodily or both, with McElherron’s creating a Three Stooges style comedy and Terry making the audience feel the joys or sorrows of her character. I especially enjoyed the chaotic scene which erupts into an onstage food fight, in which Terry concluded the scene as a machine gun with nonstop pummeling of other characters, being constantly reloaded by the town idiot. There wasn’t a single audience members who’s abs weren’t aching.
like any other audience member and I had a lovely discussion with Sir Nathaniel (left) and Holofernes about ruffled collars. At intermission, the ladies shared their picnic lunch of bread, cheese and grapes with us. During the performance itself, the town wench was having sex in the aisles and the musicians were hanging out in the balcony, trumpeting for the entrance of the court. My favorite had to be when one of the Lords, in his attempt to hide from another Lord, headed off stage and proceeded to sit on an audience member, periodically shushing his complaints.
With the end of classes and finals comes the end of another great year for the UMS Student Committee. We accomplished a lot this year! Some of the highlights? We were present at Festifall, Northfest, Winterfest, and Goodness Day; we hosted a guest speaker who talked to us about gamelan prior to the Çudamani performance; some of our members attended the Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference in New York City in January; we went backstage at Hill Auditorium before the SFJAZZ Collective performance (note the picture to your right); and we hosted an on-site ticket sale for the Brad Mehldau Trio and Lila Downs.The San Francisco Symphony’s performance last week was really a show for everyone. The SFO opened the evening with Sibelius’ final symphony, and concluded with Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony, otherwise titled “Eroica”. The performance was simply magnificent, as expected from one of the world’s most highly acclaimed orchestras. The contrasting nature of these two pieces was underlined by Associate Conductor James Gaffigan, at his appearance during Arts & Eats. In response to an insightful question, Mr. Gaffigan decided that an apt title for the evening performance be “revolutionary symphonies”. Mr Gaffigan explained how both Sibelius and Beethoven forward thinking composers during their respective times; both individuals were pioneering the traditional style and form of the traditional classical symphony. Although each composer lived during a different age in time, both explore contrasting themes of heroism and despair, and take the listener on a dramatic musical and emotional journey. Under conductor Michael Tilson Thomas’ baton, the symphony made for certain that no audience member was excluded from the musical experience. Tilson made a special effort to break the ice at the concert’s beginning. Unlike the traditional classical concert, Tilson was very candid with the audience, and introduced the orchestra with a brief discourse on the evening repertoire, making sure that no audience member felt out of place. Even associate conductor James Gaffigan emphasized at his Arts & Eats discussion that classical music is for everyone to enjoy, regardless of one’s musical background.
The concert’s audience included people of all types, from seasoned classical enthusiasts to individuals I met who had never before attended a classical concert. I was surprised to see just as many non-students as students at the Arts & Eats event before the concert, although it was wonderful to see so many individuals excited about classical music. The Arts & Eats event was packed with people, anticipating the performance; thanks to good planning, there was plenty of pizza and drinks for everyone. The SFO was showered with applause and needless to say, received a standing ovation. As an encore piece, the SFO performed the Third Entr’acte from Schubert's Rosamunde, and to everyone’s delight, the “Victors” with members of the university’s own marching band.
Yours truly,
Yash
UMS Student Committee member
