In honor
of the recent appointment of Basilica status to
Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral by Pope Benedict XVI ,
The New York University, Tisch School of the Arts,
All University Choir: Drama Cantorum led by Ralph
Affoumado, Music Director, presented its annual
winter concert Gloria.
Staged by
flawless, Broadway director etc. Sue Lawless, it
included: David Moore, Cello; Jiye Choi,
keyboards; Ira Lieberman- Violin/Viola ( PHD
musicologist, critic and in the Met Opera
orchestra).
Works by
Bach, Bernstein, Pretorius, Gounod and four new
works by student composers: Jazzlyn Swerdlick (13
years old), Steven Kaplan, T.J. Sclafani and Matt
Gregory) were dedicated to the Basilica.
How
Puccini was in the air. The United States Premiere
of Giacomo Puccini’s Requiem, accompanied, as in the
original orchestration, by Harmonium and viola put
the glory in Gloria.
After the
original Madama Butterfly was a fiasco, Puccini
wrote Requiem for Giuseppi Verdi (1813-1901) after
his death. His publisher Riccardi insisted “It’s for
La Scala!” “No.” Puccini replied, “Verdi backed the
Casa di Riposa (Old Age –Home) for musicians
in Milan.” It will be done in its Chapel.” So, on
January 27, 1905 Requiem
debuted. It was never published for Puccini’s
intimate and deeply felt homage was not to be
commercialized.
Drama
Cantorum, one of the most powerful, unique sounding
, student based, vocal ensembles in America was
seen last year by Herbert Handt, conductor and
musicologist extraordinaire who heads the Lucca,
Italy Musical Association. He knew immediately the
premiere of his authorized, rare score belonged in
the gifted hands of Ralph Affoumado. Simonetta
Puccini, granddaughter of Giacomo Puccini agreed. On
Mulberry Street, New York City the Puccini treasure
was given for this special event.
Other gifts
included Simonetta Puccini at the concert seated
next to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Handt, newly
arrived from Lucca. Italy. Graciously, she greeted
the packed church audience with elegant, Italian
charm and musical anecdotes.
On
Friday, December 10, The Metropolitan Opera will be
celebrating the 100 Anniversary of Puccini’s Opera
The Girl of the Golden West (La Fanciulla del West,
premiere sung by Caruso). His rich, vast, musical
heritage includes Tosca, Madame Butterfly, La Boheme,
Turandot, Manon Lescaut, Gianni Schicchi, Suor
Angelica, etc.
For this
special evening I must thank Tisch School of the
Arts Dean Mary Schmidt Campbell (President
Obama appointee Co-chair of the President’s
Committee on the Arts and Sciences) for founding
the Drama Cantorum in 1996 with co-founder Ralph
Affoumado.
Thank you
for this gift: For a short time I inhale;
breathe deeply as voices spin with such clarity. I
hear elongated beauty in a sustained hum; see
forty-two world -wide young vocalists unite in
music, not war, joyfully giving back: High C’s,
tempi, a dance, their language, as kazoos awaken
my childhood laughter. To know reverence in the silence of those around me is rare; contagious.
Owning it, I feel safe. Holy! Music is my oasis;
till I return to chaos and uncertainty outside the
Old Saint Patrick’s Basilica protective red brick
wall.