THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 20, 1994 TAG: 9411190072
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Music review
SOURCE: MARK MOBLEY
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
WASHINGTON may not be cooperating, but Hampton Roads is. Two fine concerts last week demonstrated the fruits of partnership between arts groups.
Sunday at Old Dominion University, the excellent early-music group Capriole performed excerpts from Rameau's ``Les Indes Galantes.'' Capriole's core members were joined by guest singers, players and the ODU Madrigal Singers. The next evening, violinist Catherine Cho, fresh from performances with the Virginia Symphony, gave a recital with members of the symphony chamber group Apollo.
``Les Indes Galantes'' was a revelation. The music of Jean-Philippe Rameau isn't as well known as that of his contemporaries, Vivaldi, Handel or J.S. Bach. Yet this opera-ballet, a popular work of the period, features delightfully evocative music with expressive harmonies and some arresting rhythms.
Under Capriole's artistic director, harpsichordist Gayle Johnson, string playing was sensitive. Soprano Suzanne Peck sang high, floating pianissimos, and Paul Rowe was a genial, warm-sounding baritone. Baroque dancers Paige Whitley-Bauguess and Thomas Baird were fleet, witty and expressive. The student Madrigal Singers (including former Waxing Poetics bass player Jeffrey M. Bailey) had a light, clear sound.
Once again, Caprole filled its important niche in the local scene. Neither Virginia Opera nor the Virginia Symphony has shown much inclination to venture back before Mozart. ODU's Chandler Recital Hall, with its intimacy and multileveled stage, seems made for the group. And Capriole concerts also have a professionalism of presentation other groups should imitate.
Cho's recital was equally impressive. She and pianist Charles Woodward were mesmerizing in the rhapsodic lines of Ravel's Sonata. She shifted immediately from aggressive pizzicato chords to a bowed tone as smooth as cream.
Symphony harpist Barbara Chapman joined Cho for a vivid reading of Saint-Saens' discursive Fantasy, Op. 24. Beethoven's C Major Quintet included the newest ODU faculty member, violist Amadi Hummings, who proved to be a valuable ensemble player.
The first season of Monday night recitals at ODU included no symphony guest artists. Hearing Cho in more than one setting meant that a listener could get a clearer sense of her impressive artistry. It's a shame that ODU isn't presenting more of the symphony soloists, and perhaps in more than one recital (the hall was filled to discomfort level Monday).
With such partnerships between arts groups flourishing, it's easy to envision more. The symphony's chamber orchestra concerts have long needed a clearer identity. Why not perform concerts of opera literature with Virginia Opera apprentice artists and the Symphony and Opera associate conductors? This would give young singers orchestral experience and audiences a chance to hear their favorite arias.
Why couldn't Capriole, Apollo or even the Virginia Symphony be booked to play incidental music to a Shakespeare play produced by Virginia Stage Company? The Harrison Opera House would be a perfect venue for ``A Midsummer Night's Dream'' with the Mendelssohn score. DATEBOOK
``Salome.'' Virginia Opera production at 2:30 p.m. today, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. next Sunday at Harrison Opera House, Norfolk. Additional performances 623-1223.
Bay Youth Orchestra Concert, classical. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Virginia Beach Pavilion. 428-8000.
The Virginia Symphony with vibraphonist Lionel Hampton. 7:30 tonight at Hampton University, Ogden Hall. 623-8590.
Norfolk Chamber Consort, classical. 8 p.m. Monday at Old Dominion University, Chandler Recital Hall, Norfolk. 440-1803 or 622-4542.
Send your notices to Roy A. Bahls, The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star, 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510. Fax 446-2963. Include description of event, admission charge, time, date, location and phone. Call Mark Mobley at 446-2783, write to the above address or send electronic mail to mobley(AT)infi.net. by CNB