Verdi Concert

After 13 weeks of rehearsal, Chorus North Shore performed the Verdi Requiem to a full house at Our Lady of Hope Church in Ipswich, Massachusetts. The audience received a solid performance. I was so pleased to recognize very many faces in the audience.

The orchestra was 46 pieces with two trumpets played from the balcony in the Dies Irae selections. The 140 strong Chorus was supplemented by four SATB soloists who sang with such ease and power. Though some selections has great forte force, other movements were absolute tear-jerkers. It reminds us that our lives are governed by Christ. All power, honor, and glory belongs to him. The Requiem reminds us of our mortality - even as the last breath drops from our lips.

Sunny Pryor is quite the worker. She teaches us, forms us, encourages us, and is patient with us. She, however, also orchestrates a great deal of other pieces to conduct disparate pieces of the concert. She studies the score and is always finding ways to sync the pieces that come together for two nights before the performance. She is always rehearsing with the absent others in mind, but she stays very attentive to what we need. I don't know how she pulls it together in a way that looks effortless, but hours of hard work are needed. She was splendid tonight.

We held a reception afterwards to honor our audience. Very many friends and music lovers from the North Shore came to say hello. The gift of music lightens and heightens the soul. I think everyone will sleep well tonight.

It has been quite a week for me - the funeral service for my sister's partner, myy mother's 80th birthday, and excellent and full-engaging retreat, and three rehearsal plus the concert. I feel accomplished.

I will miss so many good people associated with the chorus and the music scene on the North Shore. It even felt like my own requiem.