THE 2012 VIRGIN ATLANTIC HOLDERS SEASON was a whole package of first-class entertainment. Producer Wendy Kidd can take a bow.
On Classical Night internationally renowned British soprano Joan Rodgers, drawing from her extensive repertoire, took the audience on an idyllic journey.
The rich voice that has been heard in many of the world’s famous opera houses – from Britain’s Covent Garden to Vienna, Austria – soared above the Holders grounds with selections from well known composers like Tchaikovsk.
She treated the audience to folk songs and a range of selections that spoke to her versatility as opera singer, concert performer and recitalist.
Rodgers alternated performances with chamber musician Julian Bliss on clarinet. For the British patrons in the audience, it was an opportunity to get a taste of Bliss’ playing for the BBC Proms when he performed before a live audience in honour of the Queen’s 80th birthday.
At Holders he also played Claude Debussy’s Premier Rhapsody, transcribed by the composer for clarinet and piano, and three movements from French composer Francis Poulenc.
Accompanied by Robert Bottriell on piano, the two performers treated the audience to live classical performances seldom seen in Barbados.
The skies opened and rain threatened to soak the performance of Italian Ennio Marchetto on Gala Night, the final night of the season.
But like the Disney cartoons that influenced his cabaret show, Ennio evoked laughter, keeping patrons in their seats time and time again erupting with side-splitting laughter as he mimicked favourite celebrities, dancing and swaying to the music of some of the greatest names on Broadway, Motown and others, sometimes even rapping, with fast-paced onstage paper costume changes to suit.
Well travelled Cuban band Havana Sax, led by singer David Alvarez, took the audience on a Cuban musical journey with rhythms such as the mambo, rumba, salsa, conga and bolero.
They brought the curtain down on this year’s Holders Season.
