Amir Farid, Shelen Hughes Comacho and Joseph Parrish
Before we tell you about the best vocal recital we have seen all year let us share our joy in witnessing two magnificent artists perform together as a couple, not just an artistic couple but a romantic couple. We have seen similar situations that were marked by a disparity in artistic gifts and have felt sad to see one member of a couple riding their shooting star to fame whilst the other's career languished. We can understand how that could be a stressful situation. In the case of soprano Shelen Hughes Comacho and baritone Joseph Parrish we have no doubt that both will have stunning careers.
We have written quite a bit about each one (enter each name in the search bar if you are curious about their respective career paths) and have felt great joy witnessing their growing artistry, not to mention the awards they have received.
Yesterday's concert was in honor of their awards from Opera Index and we have no doubt that President Jane Shaulis experienced the same joy that we did. We review a seemingly endless stream of vocal recitals and usually find enjoyment tempered by cavils. Yesterday's program at The American Opera Center presented no opportunity for reservations. We were thrilled from start to finish.
The first half of the program was devoted to operatic arias and we noticed how both singers captured the essence of the characters they were representing. No gesture, glance or tilt of the head was a throwaway or "stock". Most likely everything was well rehearsed but gave the illusion of spontaneity. We got the sense that the words had flavors which were much relished. We haven't space to describe each offering but just want to choose a couple to illustrate. From Mascagni's L'amico Fritz, Ms. Hughes Comacho conveyed all of Suzel's shyness, innocence, and hopefulness as she presented a gift of flowers to the landowner she has a crush on. One didn't need to understand the Italian since every phrase expressed a shade of her emotions.
Of all of Mr. Parrish's choices we have chosen "A Dream Wasted" from William Grant Stills's Highway I U.S.A.. What? You are surprised that we actually liked a 20th century opera with an English libretto? Well we did and that's why we chose it --to elaborate on Mr. Parrish's formidable skills. He took on the character of the much put upon brother of a selfish wastrel whom he has sacrificed to support for years. Mr. Parrish captured all the mixed feelings and conveyed them to the audience--and he did so with such excellent diction and clarity of enunciation that we didn't miss a word.
We were thrilled to hear a zarzuela selection from Torroba's La marchenera entitled "La Petenera". This one was new to us; like so many zarzuelas, it revolves around a love triangle and gave Ms. Hughes Comacho an opportunity to reveal a multiplicity of emotions. Mr. Parrish had a similar opportunity in "Los ojos de ver los tuyos", a serenade from Luna's Molinos devientos another zarzuela which was new to us. There was no mistaking a lover's adoration in Mr. Parrish's performance.
After a generous selection of bel canto arias performed with all the necessary vocal flourishes, the couple performed "La ci darem la mano" from Mozart's Don Giovanni. This is one of those duets that can be inflected in so many ways and our two astute artists put their own spin on it, allowing us to see (hear) it in a new light.
We didn't think that the second half of the program could live up to the bel canto delights of the first half but we were mistaken. Each artist dug deeply into their heritage to introduce us to new songs. Our lovely soprano performed "Evocaçao" from a rarely performed song cycle by Villa-Lobos that offered the same dynamic range as his Bachianas Brazileiros as well as some minor mode tenderness. We also got to hear more of the piano of Amir Farid who is such a gracious and generous collaborative pianist.
Our brilliant baritone also introduced us to something new--Burleigh's "Her Eyes Twin Peaks" which ended with such a delicate diminuendo that we realized we were holding our breath. This is in contrast with so many singers who feel the need to grandstand. We prefer the subtlety that has us leaning in.
The program closed with another duet. "If I Loved You" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, an American classic. It was a charming way to end a delightful program and left us thinking that this couple has no "ifs, ands, or buts". One got the impression that their commitment to each other is as strong as their commitment to their art. Now this is not a review of a relationship but if it were we would give it 5 stars. There was no encore but we were totally satisfied and considered it a perfect conclusion.
It is indeed rare to attend a concert without thinking of ways in which the singing or programming might be improved. This was indeed a first!
© meche kroop
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