The sounds of the 95-piece Texas Music Festival Orchestra accompanied by the 100-member Houston Symphony Chorus tolled the start of the month-long classical tunes summer fest. As if slapped silly by Beethoven, the Moores Opera House almost could not contain the massive force of the combined ensembles and that of the soloists called on to perform his Symphony No. 9 "Ode to Joy."
For TMF's first ever performance of this magnum opus, soprano Cynthia Clayton, mezzo-soprano Heather Scanio, tenor Vale Rideout and bass-baritone Hector Vasquez didn't hold back.
As if slapped silly by Beethoven, the Moores Opera House almost could not contain the massive force of the combined ensembles.
Prior to the all those notes, University of Houston System chancellor Renu Khator and hubby Suresh, UH vice president Carl Carlucci and wife Cheryl, and Greek consul George Papanikolaou were recognized for their recent contributions in support of creative endeavors.
Raising a glass to maestro Franz Anton Krager at the intimate reception were Beverly Kaufman, Immanuel and Helen B. Olshan Foundation board president David Guidry and his wife Jackie, Lisa and Bobbie Fontenot, Sheila Johnstone, David Ashley White and Becky Tobin, sporting an attention-grabbing off-the-shoulder hot pink number.
