Editor:
Symphony in the Park or Disaster in the Park?
I attended the (two free VSO concerts on Saturday and Sunday).
First day, I liked very much Bernadette; really a big professional singer; she knew to introduce herself, she knew how to conquer the audience in few words, a great voice.
The second day – a disaster.
People attend this type of concerts for three reasons:
- enjoy the weather in the park;
- socialize with the friends;
- pleasant and engaging music.
Also, if possible, a little respect for the audience – respect the program (6 p.m. can’t be 7 p.m.). I saw at 4 p.m. many people already present.
Positive:
- the introduction made by the mayor, his presence at the event;
- the national anthem;
- a young cello player.
Negative:
- the repertoire, not at all appropriate to this type of concert;
- the lack of understanding of the attendees’ expectations;
- the conductor missed telling us something about the subject of the pieces (by example: the legend of Lohengrin, the cave of Lohengrin from Linderhof, etc.); maybe some records with Leonard Bernstein would be useful for him.
Question: who proposed, verified and approved the repertoire of the concert?
I am thinking only the conductor. I don’t have an expectation from the professional level of the orchestra … but I like to have nice music in which the audience is engaged and resonates with the orchestra. Maybe next year the conductor will watch some of the Andre Rieu’s concerts and learn something - maybe another conductor.
Sergiu Coman, Burnaby
