An evening of enchantment and dance

Two young, relatively unknown singers, pupils of two older, established singers, a returning son of the soil and the world record holder for playing the piano the longest amount of time, plus a flamenco dancer completed the cast of this enchanting performance.

The evening began with Narriman Hosein singing “Quia Respexit” from Bach’s Magnificat, two arias, one from Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro the other from Puccini’s Turandot then a return to the sacred with the Schubert setting of “Ave Maria”.

It was only after he had sung “Non Ti Scordar Di Me” by E De Curtis and Richard Tauber’s “My Heart and I” that Yolanos Sookoor told the audience that he was omitting “Granada” listed on the programme because air-conditioning affected his voice whereupon master of ceremonies Richard Pierre revealed that this tenor is 81 years young.

The older generation took a back seat for baritone Marvin Smith to sing Handel’s “Honour and Arms” from “Samson” and what is becoming his theme song, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Some Enchanted Evening”. Anne Fridal scintillated in a glittering outfit, descending from the stage to walk in the auditorium offering her wares as she sang “Strawberry Woman” from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess”.

Pianist and accompanist for the entire evening, Charles Brunner played “Summertime” am aria that’s been described by opera critics a “one of the greatest numbers of all time”. Still with Gershwin’s “Porgy & Bess” Anne Fridal and Marvin Smith sang the unforgettable love duet “Bess You is My Woman Now”.

The first part of the programme ended with Marla D’Lacoste’s dramatic interpretation of non-traditional Flamenco.

More wines and cheeses greeted the audience at the intermission, to stay us through the second half of the programme, beginning with young tenor Andre Mangatal singing “If With All You Hearts” from Mendelssohn’s oratorio “Elijah” and then Wright and Forest’s “And This is My Beloved” adapted from the works of the Russian composer, Borodin.

The quartet of Hosein, Fridal, Smith and Mangatal (one thought of teachers and pupils) sang Mendelssohn’s “Lift Thine Eyes” also from “Elijah”, and “Ave Verum’ a cappella by Mozart. Charles Brunner then gave the Queen’s Hall Steinway a thorough work-out with Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody Number Two” - to thunderous applause.

Marla D’Lacoste returned to the stage to perform two traditional Flamencos (unfortunately, my camera couldn’t capture the dance without flash - which is utterly forbidden in Queen’s Hall - while the stage lighting made photography of that dance even more difficult). Next Anne Fridal and Marvin Smith performed the ever-popular “Cat’s Duet” by Rossini, then came what, for this reviewer was the highlight of the evening: the Jamaican folk song “Sammy Dead” sung by Narriman, Anne, Marvin and Andre with Yolanos as the corpse; this folk song was enjoyed as much by the performers as the audience.

“Gospel Train” arranged by Hal Johnson was another crowd pleaser. The evening ended with a quintet of all five artists singing “Count Your Blessings” and “Climb Every Mountain”.

Moon River was indeed an evening of enchantment with easy listening to the classics, made easier still by allowing the Queen’s Hall to show its paces in the fact that none of the singers needed a microphone for their voices to reach to the back of the hall - without screeching or shouting. The set was simple but effective, the stage hands moved the piano on and off with a minimum of fuss whenever Marla D’Lacoste danced the Flamenco to recorded music.

It was heartening to witness an older, wiser, experienced generation of singers encouraging upcoming young talent and one that renews hope that all is not lost to soca, rap, rag-waving and sheer hysteria in the world of music in TT.

CAPTIONS:

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Caption Marla D’Lacoste in dramatic pose dancing flamenco.

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Caption From left: Andre Mangatal (tenor), Anne Fridal (dramatic soprano), seated Narriman Hosein (soprano) Marvin Smith (baritone) and on bed at right Yolanos Sookoor.

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Caption Indefatigable pianist/ accompanist Charles Brunner at piano and the quintet (from left) Andre Mangatal, Anne Fridal, Yolanos Sookoor, Marvin Smith and (seated) Narriman Hosein