By Phyllis
You look marvelous. What 50 year old doesn’t long to hear those words?
How about you look and sound marvelous? With the help of the Vanguard voices, the Dearborn Symphony did just that as it celebrated 50 years of music.
Looking and sounding beautifully Sept. 23 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, the music rang out with youthful energy. It happened as symphony’s music director, Kypros Markou, along with the Vanguard Voices under the direction of G. Kevin Dewey unleashed a powerful season opener.
The show highlighted four Vanguard voices. Soprano Amy Petrongelli was elegant and soulful. Mezzo-soprano Alta Dantzler was beautiful and vibrant. Tenor Brian Carter was commanding and powerful. Stephen West was compelling and heartfelt.
The program featured the music of Aaron Copland and Ludwig van Beethoven. Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” opened the night’s performance. Interestingly Copland nearly gave up on naming the work, until inspired by Vice President Henry Wallace. In 1942, Wallace proclaimed the dawning of the “Century of the Common Man.” Inspired by Wallace, Copland gave the common man his fanfare.
Beethoven’s “Overture to Fidelio, Opus 72b” and “Symphony No.9 in D minor, op. 125 Choral” followed and closed the night’s show. The music and vocals were both moving and passionate. A beautiful night of music never looked or sounded so good.
Mark your calendar for 8 p.m. Nov. 18, as Markou returns to the podium with featured flutist Dennis Carter to highlight the music of Weber, Iannaccone, Corigliano, Dvorak and Mozart in “Dance with the Stars” at the Ford Center. Tickets range from $10 to $30.
For more information call (313) 565-2424 or go to dearbornsymphony.org.