Page 20 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - March '23

Page 20, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Rex Recommends

not belong here, but again, it showed her magnificent ability
By Rex Hearn 13 at 8 p.m. An African American Film Festival begins on with scales and runs. Returning after a superb performance by
Palm Beach Opera March 16 in the Rinker Playhouse. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld the orchestra of Debussy’s Prelude a L’apres midi d’un faune
March 24 to 26, this appears on March 18 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The Zurich, she sang Gershwin’s Fascinating Rhythm at speed, and Richard
distinguished company Switzerland, Chamber Music Orchestra gives a concert on Rodgers Sound of Music – the song.
present Verdi’s comic Sunday afternoon, March 19, at 2 p.m. as part of Kravis A high school performance of this musical decided her to
masterpiece, Falstaff. Taken Center’s Classical Concert Series. switch from 12 years of piano to singing. Our gain! Her encore,
from The Merry Wives of And the musical Wicked as part of their Kravis On perfect for her true mezzo range was, Climb Every Mountain
Windsor and Henry lV by Broadway series goes up on March 29 through April 9. for which Graham rightly received a long standing ovation.
Christopher Marlowe, I’m of Ballet Palm Beach presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream Intermission over, the large audience stayed for Dimitri
the belief Marlowe wrote the from March 31 to April 2. Shostakovich’s (1906 to 1975), 10th Symphony written in
bard of Avon’s plays. Verdi, For tickets call (800) 572-8471. 1953. The composer and then leader of Soviet Russia, Marshall
in retirement some years, Joseph Stalin, had their differences, going back to 1936
had visits from his friend and Rex’s Review when Stalin wrote a denunciation of Lady Macbeth of Minsk,
librettist, Arrigo Boito. Sensing the old man’s restlessness, Shostakovitch’s most successful opera with 180 performances,
Boito left a copy of his draft of Falstaff for Verdi to find Palm Beach Symphony: A Splendid Mix in the newspaper, Pravda; Stalin was exercising cultural
after one of his visits. The trick worked. At 80 years of age By Rex Hearn control over him. The composer retreated to the shadows
Verdi produced a brilliant work. Company favorite, Michael The Jan. 30 concert at the Kravis Center harkened back writing only small chamber works. Reinstated in 1940, given
Chioldi returns as Sir John Falstaff. Antonelllo Allemandi to Victorian times when orchestras threw together soloists, honors galore, he was again censured with Prokofiev this
conducts. Event is at the Kravis Center. Call the box office popular songs and heavy and light music pieces. It was a time in 1948 by Stalin for “formalistic perversions and anti-
at (561) 833-7888. Don’t miss it. night when Palm Beach Symphony showed their versatility, democratic tendancies!” But Shostakovich had the last laugh.
Palm Beach Symphony brilliantly accompanying the great mezzo, Susan Graham, At the death of Stalin in 1953 he returned to the symphonic
Also appearing at The Kravis Center on Tuesday March playing a Debussy work with sensitivity and refinement, genre after an eight-year silence and made the 2nd movement
14 at 8 p.m., conducted by Maestro Gerard Schwarz, the and delivering a heavy Russian work with conviction. of the 10th Symphony a “Musical Portrait of Stalin.” In total,
orchestra opens with Sojourn: Reflections on Thoreau Under the baton of Gerard Schwarz they have become a Shostakovich wrote 15 symphonies.
commissioned by the symphony. The composer, Joseph great orchestra comparable to the London Philharmonic, Palm Beach Symphony played this 10th Symphony like
Schwanter, 1943, from Keene, N.H., writes, “It is a musical across the pond, whose new dominance of that city’s 10 demons possessed. It was a magnificent performance. Briefly,
journey inspired by the words of Henry David Thoreau, who professional orchestras is due to their new Music Director the 1st movement marked “Moderato” was a sincere work
said, ‘Music is the sound of the circulation in nature’s veins.’” Edward Gardner – a comparison that is not lightly made. re-establishing the composers’ bona fides. It rambles and
Next, noted pianist Misha Dichter plays George Gershwin’s What is the key to this glorious sound? It is in a word – uncoils in heavenly ways so pleasing on the ear. Movement
Piano Concerto in F, a serious work, commissioned by refinement. Professional musicians at this level need only two or 2, Allegro, the Stalin portrait, is rambunctious, noisy, with
Walter Damrosch, conductor of the New York Symphony three rehearsals to be up to speed, but it is the conductor’s vision militaristic brass featured prominently. The 3rd movement
in 1925. He had heard Rhapsody in Blue and knew of and direction that gives them polish, distinction and beautiful is contemplative. Using signature notes to spell out his own
Gershwin’s desire to be accepted as a classical composer. playing. They respond to Maestro Schwarz enthusiastically and name, he also spells out, in notes, the name of a pupil from
Webern’s Adagio follows, arranged by Maestro Schwarz. the two are as one. His leadership is inspiring. before 1948, pianist and composer, Elmira Nazirova, who
Stravinsky’s exciting The Firebird ballet suite ends the After the lively Marriage of Figaro overture of Mozart, said of him “he was a muse, a symbol of beauty and musical
program. Call (561) 281-0145. singer, Susan Graham, began with the two popular mezzo arias inspiration.” The last movement is full of merriment using
Flagler Museum Music Series from that same opera and a serious piece from Mozart’s Le folk dances and repetitive note codes spelling his own name
Attracting only the highest quality chamber groups, these Clemenza di Tito. Naturally chosen to show off her amazing about 14 times throughout the orchestral sections. It has a
concerts are regularly featured on National Public Radio’s range, she delivered in spades; the Figaro songs fast and sunny conclusion – and was met by thunderous applause and
Performance Today. The fifth and last concert of the series romantic with some lovely quiet passages and the Tito aria a standing ovation. Their next concert is on March 14 with
is on Tuesday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. featuring the Neave yearning and rueful, its dramatic melancholy nicely spun out. In, Misha Dichter playing Gershwin’s only Piano Concerto.
Trio: Anna Williams, violin; Mikhail Veselov, cello; and Eri Franz Lehar’s Vilja Graham had the audience sing the chorus; Stravinsky’s Firebird suite ends the program. You can contact
Nakamura, piano. Often compared to the late Beaux Arts she conducted them well! A Berlioz aria from Les Troyens did the box office at (561) 281-0145.
Trio, a Boston music critic said of them, “Their unanimity
of style, communication, variety of touch and expressive
sensibility are of the first rank.” Meet the musicians after
the concert during a champagne and dessert reception. For
tickets please call (561) 655-2833.
Kravis Center
Famous for the excellent Broadway shows they present,
you can see the new Pretty Woman based on the Richard
Geer, Julia Roberts movie of the same name from March 7
to 12. The New World Symphony appears on Monday, March

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FUNXION REHAB

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Brett Richman, PT Owner

Physical Therapy Visits also offered
in the home for convenience at no

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LA Fitness Plaza - PGA National
We have moved from Suite 27 to Suite 42

(P)561 775-7775 (F) 561 293-2730