Last weekend, I caught a concert by the Bonita Trio at St. Peter's Episcopal in Del Mar.
Pianist Nicolas Reveles, violinist Lee Wolfe, and cellist Cliff Thrasher form the trio.
The program was composed of music I had never heard before. It started with a Haydn trio followed by Suite Oriental by Melanie Bonis, Walt's Boy by Nicolas Reveles, Tres Piezas Originales en Estilo Español by Enrique Arbos, and Piano Trio in C Major by Enrique Granados.
Each set was introduced by Mr. Reveles. As the Geisel Director of Education and Outreach for San Diego Opera and the host of UCSD's Opera Talk, Mr. Reveles had us in the palm of his hand as he spoke of the rare music we were hearing.
Joining the Bonita Trio for Walt's Boy was Bass-Baritone Will Earl Spanheimer. He is an alumnist of The San Diego Opera Outreach Ensemble. Based in Miami, he is an out-of-town singer and in this case it made all the sense in the world for him to be a part of this concert.
Walt's Boy is from Mr. Reveles's chamber opera Sextet which was written for and preimiered by Diversionary Theatre here in San Diego. Mr. Spanheimer was a member of the cast and to my knowledge is the only singer in the world who knows it well enough to perform it publicly.
After condemning the use of out-of-town singers, I am now forced to not just condone but applaud Mr. Spanheimer for his performance. He sang with insight, sensitivity, and a fine bass voice.
After the intermission came Tres Piezas Orginales en Estilo Español. This was wonderful, crowd pleasing music. After each section, a chuckle of approval rippled across the 50 or so patrons.
The Bonita Trio played a fine concert. It wasn't only a well performed concert, it had a relaxed atmosphere that gave the audience intimate access to the music and the performers.
Below is The Devic Trio performing one of the selections from the Arbos set.
http://www.youtube.com/user/garrettwharris?feature=mhee#p/f/6/jPZlw_L5dRE
Last weekend, I caught a concert by the Bonita Trio at St. Peter's Episcopal in Del Mar.
Pianist Nicolas Reveles, violinist Lee Wolfe, and cellist Cliff Thrasher form the trio.
The program was composed of music I had never heard before. It started with a Haydn trio followed by Suite Oriental by Melanie Bonis, Walt's Boy by Nicolas Reveles, Tres Piezas Originales en Estilo Español by Enrique Arbos, and Piano Trio in C Major by Enrique Granados.
Each set was introduced by Mr. Reveles. As the Geisel Director of Education and Outreach for San Diego Opera and the host of UCSD's Opera Talk, Mr. Reveles had us in the palm of his hand as he spoke of the rare music we were hearing.
Joining the Bonita Trio for Walt's Boy was Bass-Baritone Will Earl Spanheimer. He is an alumnist of The San Diego Opera Outreach Ensemble. Based in Miami, he is an out-of-town singer and in this case it made all the sense in the world for him to be a part of this concert.
Walt's Boy is from Mr. Reveles's chamber opera Sextet which was written for and preimiered by Diversionary Theatre here in San Diego. Mr. Spanheimer was a member of the cast and to my knowledge is the only singer in the world who knows it well enough to perform it publicly.
After condemning the use of out-of-town singers, I am now forced to not just condone but applaud Mr. Spanheimer for his performance. He sang with insight, sensitivity, and a fine bass voice.
After the intermission came Tres Piezas Orginales en Estilo Español. This was wonderful, crowd pleasing music. After each section, a chuckle of approval rippled across the 50 or so patrons.
The Bonita Trio played a fine concert. It wasn't only a well performed concert, it had a relaxed atmosphere that gave the audience intimate access to the music and the performers.
Below is The Devic Trio performing one of the selections from the Arbos set.
http://www.youtube.com/user/garrettwharris?feature=mhee#p/f/6/jPZlw_L5dRE