LYRICAL GALA: NEW YEAR'S CONCERT

Last Wednesday, January 4, a Lyrical Gala was held in the theater hall of the Atlántida multiplex, commemorating the new year. The gala featured the participation of the Atlantic Orchestra, the soprano Xerach Alonso, the tenor Francisco Corujo, the baritone Augusto Brito, and the Giovanni Bardi Chamber Choir, all under the direction of Isabel Costes.

I would like to start by publicly congratulating the organization of this concert, specifically the Department of Culture of the Arrecife City Council, and its head, Mr. Florián Corujo.

The concert or gala in question was practically based on a selection of our Zarzuela, a genre very appreciated by the public in this type of artistic event, and which the attending public appreciated on many occasions.

The Atlantic Orchestra, well, very convincing, despite being an orchestral formation that, according to the program, is made up of different musicians from other orchestras. I would like to highlight the brass section, which was simply up to the circumstances, very well-tuned, and that is appreciated. At the head of the orchestra was Mrs. Isabel Costes, who had some ups and downs in her direction, excelling in symphonic direction rather than accompanying the singers. Her interpretation of the overture of La Revoltosa, the work that opened the program, as well as the interlude of the zarzuela Las bodas de Luis Alonso, which closed the gala, demonstrated her mastery. The opposite was true when she accompanied the singers; she seemed somewhat uncomfortable, and some of the romances performed by the soloists were somewhat out of time.

As for the singers, the soprano Xerach Alonso was sensational, a very young voice with a great future ahead of her. I would like to highlight her interpretation of the Song of the Nightingale from the Zarzuela Doña Francisquita, demonstrating with this romance her power in the high register, a light lyric soprano who was in her element in this interpretation. The opposite was true of the Song of Paloma from the zarzuela, El Barberillo de Lavapiés, well-interpreted but not for her voice. It is true that the director Isabel Costes could have helped her somewhat by taking a slightly more allegro tempo so that her voice would not fade in the low register. The tenor Francisco Corujo, very good, perhaps unlike the soprano, needs a little more study, which is not a problem since this young man is currently studying, but a very good voice without a doubt. I want to highlight his interpretation of the romance Bella Enamorada, very heartfelt, and it left a very good taste in the mouth; the public liked it, and that is what counts. The best, without a doubt, was the baritone Augusto Brito, who showed his mastery in all his interventions. His experience on stage was evident, a very homogeneous voice in all three registers, low, medium, and high. His experience on stage was evident that night. The lyrical gala also featured the participation of the Giovanni Bardi Chamber Choir, directed by Josefína González. It is not the first time I have heard this choir; it lived up to expectations. Perhaps its placement on stage was not the most appropriate, but it was more due to physical space than anything else. I would like to highlight their "lovers' round," a very well-tuned and blended sound, in addition to very young voices that do not have to envy any professional formation of any lyrical theater. My sincere congratulations to this choir, which can be commended for any work.

I reiterate my sincere congratulations to the organization of this gala, and may this serve as the beginning of something that Lanzarote deserves.

Pedro Montesdeoca