Royal treatment: Last Thursday’s opera recital at the Mondavi Center was probably unlike any performance that its audience members had seen to date. Instead of the crowd watching from the seats, those fortunate to snag one of the $125 or $250 tickets sat at tables on stage with the artist mere feet away—a “stage cabaret” style of seating inside Jackson Hall.
The artist? Internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Susan Graham. Dressed in a beautiful multicolored dress, the opera singer looked like true royalty the minute she set foot on stage, adorned in elaborate jewelry that worked wonders with her curvy figure.
Graham gave herself a vocal workout singing more than 30 compositions in over eight different languages. From Poulenc to Tchaikovsky, Schumann to Berlioz, the themes explored love and misfortune.
Meanwhile, the audience enjoyed wine, coffee, tea, fruits, hors d’oeuvres, pastries and desserts—all on the custom drapery-accented stage.
A five-star performance, indeed.
Swedish metal: Even with its 11 p.m. curfew, there was no shortage of enthusiasm and unbridled mayhem at last Sunday’s Ace of Spades show. The capacity bill included All That Remains, Wovenwar and In Flames.
Unlike most Ace Of Spades national shows that feature a bevy of opening acts, this was a well-oiled package tour with three touring bands. Gothenburg, Sweden’s In Flames hit the stage right on time without any intro tape or additional fanfare.
Frontman Anders Fridén immediately got the crowd going berserk with the opening number, “Embody the Invisible,” from the band’s 1999 breakthrough record Colony. The group followed up with the title track from its following record Clayman, which had everyone headbanging in unison.
In Flames played straight through to the last number, “My Sweet Shadow,” sans an encore, yet even the most hardcore metal fans left with smiles on their faces.
(SN&R)