On a rather dreary February day, over 35 members and guests came out to hear an outpouring of gorgeous music all about love. The delightful young musicians made us forget the grey skies as we gathered at Cogir of Queen Anne, which once again graciously hosted us in their comfortable entertainment space and across the street for not one but two sets of appetizers, first sweets and then savories.

Two sopranos and one baritone, Sophia Parker, Mallory McCollum and Justin Birchell, were expertly accompanied by pianist Reid Wolch. All their selections were chosen to fit the theme of “All About Love,” but they ranged from comedic to tragic. Most of the selections were operatic, but Mallory chose a trio of songs composed by Amy Beach, one of the first American composers to succeed without the benefit of European training, and one of the most respected and acclaimed American composers of her era, the latter 19th and early 20th century.

The concert began with the always delightful and amusing duet between Papageno and Papagena when they first discover they are not the only bird-person in the world in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (Justin and Sophia). That was followed by Birchell’s passionate declaration of love, “Questo amor, vergogna mia” from Puccini’s Edgar, not a successful opera when Puccini first wrote it, but a glorious baritone aria nonetheless. Justin also combined two of Silvio’s passionate pleas to Nedda into a single stirring aria from Pagliacci.

Parker gave us one light-hearted aria, “Commt ein schlanker Bursch gegangen,” from Weber’s Der Freischutz, and two of Liszt’s love songs, “Oh! Quand je dors” and “Enfant, si jétais roi.”

And for our finale, McCollum and Parker sang the delightful duet “Che spassetto io proverò” from Così fan tutte. So, a concert that began with Mozart in German finished up with Mozart in Italian.

Wolch did a superb job of accompanying each selection, with the wide range of musical styles and genres chosen by the singers played equally well.

There was plenty of time to socialize before and after the concert, and new members had a chance to mingle with long-time members of the Guild. Particularly fun was the presence of three delightfully dressed and very well-behaved young girls, three the granddaughters of Patricia Pavia, and one the daughter of Brenna Pink Pampena. How wonderful to see the next generation being introduced to opera!

Article written by Guild member Judi Kalitzki
Photos by Mila Vladi and Suzy Wakefield