Laughter in our mouths...

The last two weeks have been intense, with rehearsals for the Carmel Bach Festival occurring daily, and sometimes twice a day. It was very tiring, but rewarding. It is such a pleasure to make music with world class performers, and being able to sing for Maestro Bruno Weil is an amazing privilege.

The volunteer chorus (of which I am a member) is singing in Bach's Cantata 110 on Saturday evenings, a Christmas offering that opens with the text "our mouths are full of laughter because God has done great things for us."

On Sunday afternoon we are presenting the St. Matthew Passion, one of the most incredible pieces of music ever written. For me, some of the most sublime moments come in the two arias accompanied by Viola da Gamba. Joanna Blendulf is a tremendously gifted artist, and handles both of these very difficult pieces with aplomb and grace.

Our opening weekend just concluded, and the audiences were very enthusiastic. Two more weekends to go!

(Image from OMM.de)