Locals perform Mozart Requiem with power and passion
October 4, 2005
By Jim Lowe Times Argus Staff
But that's just what happened on Sunday afternoon at the Barre Opera House when the combined Barre Choraleers and Mad River Chorale, under the direction of Piero Bonamico kept a nearly capacity audience's rapt attention throughout the 45-minute work. (They also performed the work at the Warren School on Saturday evening.) It also didn't hurt that these community forces were joined by some fine professional vocal soloists and a quite good orchestra of local professionals, good amateurs and students.
Mozart died before he could finish the Requiem but he left sketches, which his student Franz Süssmayr filled out. There is some controversy over the quality of Süssmayr's work, but the quality of Mozart's isn't questioned, and the result is a work of power and beauty.
All that was evident in Sunday's performance. Unlike many community performances, it wasn't all about exuberance – usually at the expense of the music. (Enthusiasm doesn't always result in musicality.) Instead, this chorus of Central Vermont amateur musicians, under Bonamico's excellent direction, devoted itself to the music and largely delivered its dark passion and grandeur. Sure, there were some rough passages, particularly in the fast sections, and the sound wasn't always beautiful – but they delivered the glorious feeling.
Ottawa soprano Maghan Stewart proved a natural Mozart singer. A member of Waitsfield's summer Vermont International Opera Festival, she delivered her part with a brilliant but warm lyricism, caressing Mozart's lines. Also from Ottawa, Dillon Parmer performed warmly and lyrically with his soft-edged tenor. Montpelier baritone Arthur Zorn delivered the bass solos solidly and musically, while Berlin mezzo-soprano Andrea Bonamico, despite a smaller voice than the others, sang lyrically, warmly and accurately.
The 25-member orchestra, brought together largely by its concertmaster, violinist Ira Morris, performed effectively. There were some particularly musical passages – with a beautiful light touch. Trombonist James Bennett, head of the Norwich University music department, played the famous solo in the "Tuba Mirum" beautifully and lyrically, complement by Zorn's vocal authority.
Sunday's performance was, in fact, a bit too exciting. Bonamico's tempos seemed to range from fast to driven, often failing to allow Mozart's gorgeous melodies the time to flow naturally. Still, his musicality was heartfelt and convincing.
This was a major accomplishment for both Bonamico and the combined Barre Choraleers and Mad River Chorale, and by far their finest effort to date. They are talking about performing Mendelssohn's oratorio "Elijah" next year. Not a bad idea.