A group of local classical vocalists will sing a selection of their favorites Saturday night in Hilo.
Soprano Amy Horst, mezzo soprano Gerdine Markus, tenors Pedro Ka‘awaloa and Kaweo Kanoho and bass Barry Brandes joined forces with pianist Walter Greenwood to create a unique set of interpretations of classical vocal favorites.
“Songs We Love To Sing,” the group’s debut concert, is 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the First United Protestant Church on Waianuenue Avenue just above the Kaiser Hilo Clinic.
Offerings range from Purcell’s duet for soprano and mezzo, “Sound the Trumpet,” to Rossini’s sparkling tenor aria “Ecco ridente in cielo” from “The Barber of Seville.” The program also features arias from the worlds of opera, oratorio and art song, and includes works by Mozart, Bizet, Donizetti, Schubert, Handel and Faure.
Horst is known locally for her one-woman shows, choral conducting and teaching music. Markus promotes concerts and is the founder-director of the Pacific Academy of Music. Ka‘awaloa is well-known for musical theatre, music education and music performance in Hilo. Kanoho sings locally and with the Hawaii Opera Theatre in Honolulu. Brandes sings solo recitals and brings decades of experience with the Metropolitan Opera Chorus to his work. Greenwood has played piano for everyone on the east side of the Big Island since he moved here four years ago.
“We have been working together on other people’s musical projects for some time now, so we know each other very well,” Markus said. “We felt it was time to organize around our love of song and present a concert ourselves, for our friends, in our hometown. Inspired by music that fed our souls, we have collected a set of songs, arias and ensemble pieces that engage and play with our very favorite source of musical inspiration — the voice.”
On a lighter note, Greenwood quipped, “I’m having so much fun preparing for this concert that I envy myself!”
Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors, and are available at Basically Books in downtown Hilo or at the door. For more information, call 640-2898.
