Delivering their art powerfully and skillfully
The 25th annual Premier's Concert featured a host of returning Bermudian artists delivering command performances.
Sunday night's event was a delightful showcase of what is possible when a community puts value into the arts.
Indeed there was an air of tribute throughout the proceedings. Homage was paid to the event itself; to Ruth Thomas, who gave voice to the event 25 years ago; to the many artists who have graced the stage over the years, and the 11 artists whose wondrous works were exhibited throughout the evening. The hosts were well selected and perfectly suited for the high-class proceedings.
Robert Horton and Ms Thomas traded quips and witticisms all night, bringing a touch of class and a splash of panache to the somewhat rigid programme.
The performers themselves were outstanding, but the lack of variety in the showcased pieces became a bit stifling at times.
Courtney Lopes and Shomeiko Ingham, for example, both presented modern dance pieces that were technically impressive, but did nothing to set themselves apart. Mind you, Courtney did dance to the fabulous Coldplay classic 'Fix You', which made me very happy. Her piece was actually called 'Fixed', while Shomeiko delivered a nice piece entitled 'Passage – A Work in Progress'.
A visibly pregnant and gorgeous Sophia Cannonier also delivered a modern dance/ballet piece called 'Golden Thread for Change'.
It was noted at one point that dance is the art form that most Bermudian artists engage in, based on the numbers of registered students in dance schools across the Island.
There must be quite a few violinists as well, because there were no less than four violin solos scheduled on the programme. Christopher Darrell did not make the show, but sent his apologies, and was duly covered by the three other violin virtuosos.
Kelsea Ball was the first violinist, and delivered a mesmerizing rendition of 'Czardas' by Monti. She was ably accompanied on the piano by Olga Zeidel, and well received by the near-capacity crowd.
Jay Alexander H. Butler was next to serenade us with the magic bow. He played two pieces with equal aplomb: the light and airy 'Romanian Folk Dance' by Bela Bartok, and the exquisite 'Introduction and Tarantella' by Pablo de Sarasate. The audience rewarded this masterful performance with the loudest ovation of the evening to that point, and that was certainly well deserved.
The last violin solo came courtesy of Christine Allison, who closed the concert with a stirring rendition of Charles Auguste de Beriot's lovely 'Scene de Ballet'. Margaret Macpherson accompanied both Jay and Christine on the piano, creating an integral background for both of these wonderful performances.
Between the dances and violin solos, we were treated to slideshows from some of Bermuda's best young visual artists. Nashon Hollis stood out here, presenting pieces that revealed a depth and passion well beyond his tender years, and serving notice that this young man is a legend in the making.
Ché Caines also presented impressive paintings, and Lucy Hollis presented a collection of stunning photography that captured the grandeur of our famous tall ships perfectly. All of these artists were clearly very talented, and Nashon especially, impressed to quite a high degree.
Another impressive youngster was the dramatically adroit Rowan Vickers. He delivered a magnificent rendition of Shakespeare's 'monologue from Hamlet' and was passionate, powerful, and prodigious – in that order! This was perhaps the most impressive moment of the evening. It was at least quite refreshing in the midst of so many similar pieces. Bravo young Rowan. Bravo!
Ruzelda Severin delivered a pitch-perfect performance of Verdi's 'Pace Pace (from La Forza del Destino)'. She would later serenade Acting Premier the Honourable Paula Cox with a pitch-perfect rendition of 'Happy Birthday'. This was, of course, an impromptu surprise for the birthday girl, who spoke very highly of the artists who participated in the 2009 Premier's Concert.
Ms Cox, in fact, was quite artistic herself, reciting poetry at times, as she described humanity as a "work of art", and art as the "beauty of tomorrow". She was inspired during her brief closing remarks, hailing art as "the signature of a nation", and espousing the necessity to nurture, support, and cultivate our own Bermudian artists in every way possible.
Hear hear; but can we get some spoken word artists next year? Or maybe even some gombey or other African-style dance? Art is, after all, the signature of a nation, but which nation signed Sunday night's programme?
The 25th annual Premier's Concert was nice. It showcased impressively talented Bermudians delivering their art skillfully and powerfully at times, but locally-conceived arts were conspicuous by their absence.