Uniting Two Worlds

Delaware is truly lucky to be home to a musician as talented and versatile as Xiang Gao, creator and director of 6ixwire Project. Best known as a brilliant violinist, this Chinese born artist has set out on a mission to bring together east and west, old and new, the familiar and unfamiliar, through his musical and dramatic endeavors. As part of the Master Players Concert Series, the University of Delaware presents Erhu and Violin and The Butterfly Lovers.

The Butterfly Lovers is a collaborative effort between Gao and playwright/actor/director Danny Peak. Peak wrote the powerful narration, based on a centuries old Chinese folk tale. Gao arranged the music—a concerto written by Chen Gang—for violin, erhu and piano. With beautiful images by Vincent D’Amico projected behind the stage, the performance draws the audience in on a personal and emotional level: love, betrayal and loss are ideas everyone can relate to.

To see Cathy Y. Yang play the erhu, a Chinese two-stringed violin, is to witness pure joy. Each sound that comes from the instrument is perfectly executed and seems to emanate from her soul. The ensemble playing between Yang and Gao is astounding; the two not only echo each other’s phrases, but also the timbre of the other’s instrument. The folksy themes—at times joyful, playful, and filled with longing—are those of the ill-fated lovers, Shanbo and Yingtai.

Stephanie Shade reads an earnest and strong-willed Yingtai, a brilliant young woman who disguises herself as a boy so she might have the opportunity to study. Peak is the young Shanbo, who is completely taken with his lover’s beauty and intelligence. Their performance intertwines perfectly with the music and the visual elements. Also delightful is Rita Sloan, an award-winning pianist and faculty member of the University of Maryland School of Music.

The second half of the program includes Pablo de Sarasate’s Themes from Carmen, Fantasy Op. 25, scored for violin, erhu and piano. Another expert arrangement by Gao, the piece showcases the players’ virtuosity. The last portion of the evening features a jam session with fabulous amateur musicians. Their rendition of Van Morrison’s Moondance rocked the hall. Gao spoke about music and its purpose in the world, reminding us how he enjoys working with varied genres and performers. He also gave us a brief bit of music history, discussing the shared Persian roots of violin and erhu. Here, Gao has successfully married the instruments and styles to expand our musical and cultural horizons.

See http://www.6ixwireproject.com/.

See. http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2011/sep/master-players-series092010.html.

OperaDelaware’s La Traviata

Colleen Daly sang the role of Violetta in the Opera Delaware production of La Traviata on November 7 with graceful acting, poise and magical melismas which soared to daring heights of C and D-flat without straining.

From the haunting cello lines in the overture to the luscious ballgown Violetta was wearing in front of moveable dressing room mirrors, everything was smooth as silk. The mirrors rolled away to become windows in Violetta’s luxurious ballroom as she stifled her tubercular cough to become the hostess with the mostess. Her control melted as her admirer, Alfredo (sung with powerful passion by Alok Kumar) slowly became courageous enough to declare his love.

Kumar’s tenor was so rich that his tone remained round and full – resoundingly secure, even in passages where the orchestra was silent. He built in intensity from his shy brindisi, his happy bollenti spiriti, to his tortured che feci.

Maestro Mark Graf coordinated the solos, duets, trios, quartets with aplomb – and pulled a great performance out of both singers and orchestra, especially the Finale.

The duet between Germont (Brian Carter) and Violetta was incredibly gripping. Germont paced himself as he slowly built his arguments to convince Violetta to release her hold on his son. When he pulled his last trump card, telling Violetta that illicit love is bound to fade (Un di, quando le venere il tempo avra fugate), his voice was unctuous--fatherly but threatening with doom--and his song was punctuated perfectly by the strings. The clarinets, smooth and melodic throughout the opera, added poignancy to Piange, piange.

The lighting gave us the illusion that the moving mirrors had become windows with panes. That and the detailing of the costumes with showy petticoats and beautiful shiny materials just put a cherry on the top of a beautiful production. Next shows are November 12 and 13.

See http://www.operade.org/.

And the Verdict Is…Excellent Collection!

(photo at left: Floating Forms (detail) by Bob Goodnough)
Sometimes, there are less-appealing reasons to visit the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington. I can offer one positive cause to head to 500 N. King, with a warning: do NOT bring your cell phone! (By law, no cell phones are permitted in courthouse buildings. And they’re not kidding.)

Last month, fellow Arts enthusiast and advocate Bill Shea invited community members on a guided tour of The New Castle County Courthouse Art Collection. While I arrive late to the start (again: DO NOT BRING CELL PHONES), I was thankfully not alone. Three tardy comrades (the cell phone thing again) and I made our way to the 12th floor for a "self-guided" adventure, hoping to catch the group.

The indoor and outdoor collection, acquired by the Courthouse Art Committee, contains works of 10 artists--both local and national--with four pieces specifically commissioned for this endeavor.

My favorite pieces included Untitled (2002; acrylic on board) by Tom Bostelle; photographs detailed with watercolor overlay by Richard K. Hermann; Kinetic Sculpture (2007) by Tim Prentice which hangs in the main lobby of the courthouse; and several by Daniel Teis, whose diverse works of abstract textures and colors can be found on nearly every floor of the building.

Artist Margaret Winslow, an active member of the New Wilmington Art Association, served as curator for the tour, which ended outside at the brillant steel & neon sculpture entitled Beacon by Brower Hatcher.

I asked Margaret about her favorite piece in the collection: Gregor Turk's Con/Text, a rubbing of wax & oil on paper, which wasn't featured in our tour catalog but is a must-see on the list.

Next time you're out & about downtown, take some time to view this fantastic collection. But P.S. Did I mention: DO NOT bring your cell phone!

See http://courts.delaware.gov/AOC/NCCCourthouse/art.stm