It was an event fit for a king. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., that is.
Part of a four-day, citywide commemoration of the civil rights leader, Friday night’s gala at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House celebrated the 80th anniversary of King’s birth. With opera diva Denyce Graves as headliner and The Spirituals Project Choir at the core of the program, the “Dream” concert inspired a tapestry of whimsy, soulfulness, sacred reflection and joy.
Graves’ stately, stunning presence, mellifluous mezzo- soprano and easy rapport with the audience lent an air of grace to the occasion. In H. Leslie Adams’ “Prayer,” she captured its gently nuanced, contemplative mood, and in Gene Scheer’s “American Anthem,” her strong, focused delivery brought home a spirit of patriotic pride.
But it was Graves’ sultry rendering of the “Habanera” aria from Georges Bizet’s opera “Carmen” — which she performed more than three years ago at the Ellie’s opening — that was most memorable among her solo selections. J.J. Penna also earned high marks as Graves’ wonderfully intuitive accompanist — not only is he an accomplished, perceptive pianist in his own right, but he anticipated each gradient of Graves’ tone, her every subtle change in breath and intensity.
Graves then joined the mighty choir — about 70 volunteers — in a polished progression of spirituals and similar songs, such as “Steal Away” to “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit.”
The program opened with John Hubert directing the decade-old, nationally known choir, followed by Bennie Williams in firm command of a range of selections from among the group’s lexicon of songs. “Walk Together Children,” “I Know I’ve Been Changed” and “I Can Tell the World” combined to represent African tribalism, America’s history of slavery and a victorious attitude of freedom.
Especially brilliant was the choir’s riveting take on “The Battle of Jericho.” The overall intimate sensibility of the program, however, might have been even better served if the choir had stood closer to the edge of the stage.
Bertha Lynn, KMGH-Channel 7 news anchor, kicked off the evening, which included a recorded excerpt from King’s “The Drum Major Instinct.”
The city’s tribute events culminate in Monday’s annual marade (march and parade). For more information, visit .
