composers for VOICE

Crikey, I just noticed I never wrote about this... and episode 10 will air this evening!
On Wednesday, svf-8 presented "Masters In Voice II - In Honor Of The Work: Composer Michael Ching and Friends", which I saw again at its matinee yesterday.
Here's what I liked best about it:
I was able to see tidbits from operas he'd composed, but I had missed.

I especially enjoyed the two numbers from 2016's "Alice Ryley, A Savannah Ghost Story"!
I knew well the tale of the woman who had been lynched in Wright Square.
I had bought my ticket early on that year, eagerly anticipating the show.
Alas, 'twas not to be, as the VA shuttle (that I could only get for that day) was too late returning from Charleston.
(I had donated the ticket cost back to Savannah VOICE Experience.)
The "Art Matters" Bento item consisted of a slide show of various squares downtown.
Chosen to accompany that was "Letter To Oglethorpe", sung by Jessica Ann Best, as well as images of her in the title role of the opera.
What a lovely coincidence that the photos I took show her image fading, going from the full-color of a corporeal being to a wisp of tint as a spirit...
i thank You, God.

Speaking of God, this rendition of "The Lord's Prayer" is one of the most spiritual ever.
I don't know how this song ties in with Alice's tale of woe, but it's listed in the program as part of that opera's set list.
Liz Lang is phenomenal as always, both in voice and in theatrical staging in her works.
We see her hesitantly enter, pandemic mask in place...
then she pauses as she gazes upon the place of worship...
she slowly removes the face covering and advance to the altar...
kneeling, she sings the prayer that asks for deliverance from evil...
finally, rising, she fixes her mask back in place and strides for the door.
Wow.
How uniquely pertinent for this year.

How about a happier bit, from the past, full of young people looking for love (with not a fear of contracting COVID-19 from a chance encounter with another)?
Yes, let's have the drink flowing and the songs in the air, just as it was...
once upon a time, less than a year ago.
"Speed Dating Tonight!" was the first of Ching's operas to be performed at the Savannah VOICE Festival, this time in 2013, at the first of these annual events.
Two of the tunes, "The Toast Song" and "If Not Now, When", had delightful lyrics!
How very tongue in cheek, filled with little flirtations and jokes!

But when it comes to romance and making connections, this song won out!
"The Bow Tie Duet", filmed at the Forsyth Fountain and sung by Jessica Fishenfeld and Scott Joiner, was truly an anatomy of a blind date.
"Are you the guy with the bow tie?"
"Yes, I am and I learned how to tie them from my dad."
"Oh, how delightful - let's dance!"
Apparently, they are still dancing together through life.
Fabulous, simply fabulous!
I'd still like a romance like that, please!
(smile!)

Scott also composed music for a Langston Hughes' poem, "Mother To Son", at the request of Matthew Gamble, the singer shown here in the video directed and edited by Jessica.
How's this for coincidence?
The video had been set, months earlier, to premiere on July 3rd; then the death of George Floyd and enhancement of the Black Lives Matter movement made it more timely than had been intended.
The focus was to have been on the poet and the impact of his words on the lives of his readers.
Matthew Gamble had recited this poem in high school and it held such meaning for him that he was moved to ask a composer to transform it to a song he could pour his heart into.
I know my dear friend Sam Johnson would have loved this piece.
He had missed Hughes' poetry until he went to college, a few years before his death.
"A Dream Deferred" prompted Sam to compose his own poem.

So... what else was there in episode 9 of the svf-8?
Well, there was Zooming of Michael Ching with Libby Larson about her work, "Try Me, Good King: Last Words of the Wives of Henry VIII", with one of the songs performed.
Then was Zooming of Michael Ching with Patrick Vu (seen in an earlier episode), this time with a song to Audra Burchfield's poem, "In Between", with her providing it voice.
And, lastly, we had Zooming of Michael Ching with Scott Joiner, who not only provided the above new work but also the song used at the heart of this year's svf-8.

Oh, did I say 'lastly'?
That would be this tag element, taking us from a trio playing cards to a duo sharing an ice cream float!
"My Lazy Ass Has Trumped My OCD" was a laughing last look at ourselves and our follies -
I wish I'd written the lyrics to keep handy for later!
Who composed it?
Probably Michael Ching... but it isn't listed in the program.
(smile!)