Adler Fellows treated the Herbst Theater audience to four Rossini, four Donizetti and seven other delights Sunday evening, the orchestra conducted by an adoring and animated Mark Morash who even blew a kiss to Leah Crocetto. Indeed Leah Crocetto and David Lomeli made the knees weak with their gentle kiss and embrace concluding their “O soave fanciulla” from Puccini’s La Boheme.
Slideshow below.
Leah’s voice cut through the orchestra and even David Lomeli’s voice during their duet. She exuded such a delicate sweetness and feminity though, which would befit a French seamstress in love in Bohemian Paris. Riders at the Civic Center BART station were still talking about her while waiting for their trains. I told them proudly Leah had won a lot of money this year in Los Angeles, she being an American idol of opera.
Unfortunately the other American idol of opera, Heidi Melton, who had won second prize in Los Angeles, was working elsewhere that night. The woman from SF Opera’s fundraising department who sat next to me said excitedly Heidi is in New York. She’ll be in Germany singing with Donald Runnicles for six months.
I ran into the tall handsome and bearded tenor Beau Gibson, the southern gentleman who just sang Cassio, the captain in Otello. He said he’s on his way to New York on the third. He says opera is a small world and everybody knows each other. Everybody is in New York at the same time.
Speaking of New York and the Met, tenor Alek Shrader reprised his duet with Austin Kness. The two just performed at a wonderful joie de vivre salon last month. Alek thrilled the small room with his high Cs and that’s what they came to hear, asking about how he chose to sing Ah! Mes Amis! in the Met’s national competition. The link to that story and photos is below.
Alek appears in the documentary film called The Audition which is now out on DVD. PBS will air The Audition starting Wednesday, January 20 at nine.
Alek sang a joyful song of young love at the Adler Gala as well, opening the show on a high note. He took his characteristic stance, chin up with his dynamic yet poised and confident upper body motion. A soldier of love.
Mark Morash had set the rousing tone for him, with a little mischief and youthful energy and romantic farce. Morash conducted the overature from Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia. All those bows working in unison was fun. The first violinist clapped her thigh in applause for Alek when he finished.
Renee Tatum changed the mood considerably with “O ma lyre immortelle” from Sapho by Gounod. She wore a gorgeous cobalt blue or black gown, soft and feminine and form fitting, one shouldered, her loose blond curls flowing over her shoulders. Sequins ran down one side seam and complimented her diamond bracelet. She sang with ominous drumrolls and a harp with undercurrents of horns and a swell of strings.
Kenneth Kellogg, with his mustache and a beard that traces his jawline, elaborated on this darker theme as he emerged with his characteristic dramatic scowl, pensive. He does smile after good naturedly but he continued with the change in tone from exuberant to deadly. The songs went from German to French to Italian by this point.
Leah gave a little wave at her exit after delighting the audience.
Crowd pleasers Alek Shrader and Austin Kness, clean shaven, reprised their winning charmer of a song from their bel canto salon a few weeks ago.
Hurray! called the audience.
Daveda emerged with an elegant, regal demeanor and a gray glittery, beaded gown, pleated with a sheer wrap.
Andrew Bidlack complimented Alek Shrader’s exuberance and high C with his own more comic countenance. He sported small sideburns and a shiny vest and a bowtie.
The two older gentlemen behind me finally got what they had practically been chanting for, Daniela Mack. She wore a purple strapless gown that looked as if she was wrapped in a big ribbon; black hair slicked back like Gloria Vanderbilt; a diamond choker.
Renee returned with Andrew as each performer seemed to have two songs. She exuded the stage presence and comfort of a pro, an easy and comic-edged confidence.
Tamara Wapinsky looked like a goddess in her gray strapless gown, dark wavy hair flowing to her shoulders. Morash applauded her and smiled at her adoringly.
Austin sang a drinking song for the alleviation of sadness, juxtaposed against the jubilation of his friend Alek Shrader’s characters.
Kenneth returned to sing in English, “Hear me o Lord” from Susannah.
Lomeli made the audience roar with his “Tombe degli avi miei . . . Fra poco a me ricovero” from Lucia di Lammermoor and bowed humbly with his hand over his heart.
Tamara and Daveda sang the big finish with a duet from Anna Bolena by Donizetti, ending with triumph and holding hands.
It was a joyful, triumphant night.
Alek Shrader and Austin Kness team up light and dark for joie de vivre salon
Alek Shrader sighting at Opera in the Park
Alek Shrader wins big in The Audition, cinema verite by Susan Froemke
Alek Shrader stars in Met broadcast
Adler Fellows Gala November 22 at Herbst Theater with meet-the-artists reception
Heidi Melton fills in for Pat Racette at Verdi Requiem by Runnicles, auf Wiedersehen
Donald Runnicles Verdi Requiem May 29: Heidi Melton steps up to replace Patricia Racette
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