BWW Reviews: VOICES FOR RELIEF Typhoon Haiyan Fundraiser From Academy of Vocal Arts Alumni and Residents

VOICES FOR RELIEF, a pair of benefit concerts for Philippine typhoon relief, is the brainchild of noted young tenor Jeffrey Halili, who's recently concluded in FALSTAFF with the Virginia Opera (he notes he's now sung all four tenor roles). A graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts, he contacted AVA in order to put on the benefit. Scheduled, with different casts, on November 30 and on December 14, all the performers are either AVA alumni or current resident artists. The December concert, like the November one, will be held at First Presbyterian Church, a venue notable not only for its charity but for acoustics that make it a fine location for concerts.

The November 30 concert starred Halili, with the assistance of sopranos Cristina Nassif, Marina Costa-Jackson, Michelle Johnson, and Jessica Julin; mezzo-soprano Margaret Mezzacappa; tenors John Viscardi, Cody Austin, Dominick Chenes, James Valenti, and Jack LiVigni; baritones Luis Lesdema and Jason Switzer; bass-baritone Musa Ngqungwana; and bass Jeremy Milner. Performers Cynthia Cook and Jesus Garcia were scheduled but were unable to participate. Philadelphians have seen many of the performers on stage lately, particularly Mezzacappa and Ngqungwana, who sang with Opera Philadelphia in the season-opening production of Verdi's NABUCCO.

Highlights of the November 30 concert included Ngqungwana's warmly received "Madamina, il catalogo e questo" from DON GIOVANNI, as well as "Morro, ma prima in grazie" from UN BALLO IN MASCHERA sung by Marina Costa-Jackson. A semi-staged "Addio, dolce svegliare" from LA BOHEME sung by sopranos Nassif and Johnson, and by Valenti and Ledesma, was received enthusiastically, as was "Dio, che nell'alma infondere" from DON CARLOS, again by Valenti and Ledesma. In the second half, "Come un bel di di maggio" from ANDREA CHENIER, performed by Chenes, was also warmly received, as was LiVigni's peformance of the traditional "Core'ngrato" ("Catari, Catari"). Additionally, Julin's performance of "Sola, perduta, abbandonata" from MANON LESCAUT was soul-piercing and slightly reminiscent of Callas' concert performance of it.

For much of the audience, however, the real highlight of the concert was the next-to-last piece, a spectacular "Nessun Dorma" sung by all six AVA tenors, which, like Julin's aria and the "Addio, dolce svegliare", captivated the entire house.

Ngqungwana, who is completing the AVA program this year, is currently doing auditions for performances in New York and London. According to the popular bass-baritone, "Jeffrey called us personally and asked if we'd be available. I was very happy to contribute. He apologized for not being able to pay, but you know, we didn't expect it."

Chenes, now in his second year, and preparing to sing in PIQUE DAME with AVA in January, echoed the sentiment. "It was great just to be asked to help. It's amazing that we can contribute this way, just by doing something we're excited to be able to do in the first place."

Mezzacappa, back from Japan where she performed Verdi's REQUIEM, and on her way to Seattle, agreed. "And it was also great fun to get together and sing. It's a reunion of sorts. We don't get together and eat; we get together and sing."

More singing, likely to be equally enthusiastically received by the audience, will occur on Saturday night, December 14, at 7:30 pm. As with the first concert, all proceeds will go to the American Red Cross for Typhoon Haiyan relief. Tickets are $25.00, and although they may be available at the door, reservations are suggested; call 267-687-1496, or visit www.fpcphila.org/voices-for-relief/ to make reservations.

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