Published Articles

Messa da Requiem at the Jersey Shore
9/14/2009

On Saturday, September 12, at 8 PM, The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, in cooperation with the New Jersey State Opera, Destination: Opera, presented the “Messa da Requiem” also known as the “Manzoni Requiem,” and the “Verdi Requiem” by Giuseppe Verdi. Jason Tramm, artistic director of the NJSO and music director in residence of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association conducted.

The Great Auditorium, in which the performance took place, is a landmark venue and a structure that is part of a 140 year Methodist, seaside worship community tradition. The performance represented the culmination of a summer season that included a diverse offering of talent. This particular post vacationer season event was as well attended as any with a significant degree of public anticipation and enthusiasm. Out of towners came to hear this much beloved and rarely performed in New Jersey work. On this auspicious occasion, the presenters were hard pressed to fill the splendid large acoustic with Verdi’s most dramatic intention.

The Mass is comprised of seven sections of solos, duets, trios, quartets and full ensemble pieces, with orchestra, running about 84 minutes with no intermissions.

The chorus was an auditioned ensemble of the New Jersey State Opera which included a number of Ocean Grove Great Auditorium Choir members, the latter of which possesses a sweet cohesive sound. Ringers were brought in but not enough to infuse the chorus with a formidable character nor volume enough to magnificently pull off the famous “Dies irae” that distinguishes itself among famous choral pieces.

The alto section was sorely lacking in color and volume throughout and many of the full ensemble sections, especially the opening sotto voce and closing phrases, to this listener’s ears were mostly inaudible lacking a legitimate presence. The sopranos were right on with their entrances and however inappropriate to some passages, dulcet sounding. What the chorus was unable to achieve in dramatic color, the New Jersey State Opera Orchestra made up for in clarity and a splendid and strong hold on the power of the Aida- like moments “dies irae”, driven by the syncopated bass drum. It was often difficult and dizzying to follow the baton but the players were so good they could have done the reading on their own!

This is a work of monumental and complex vocal requirements, and challenges the most virtuosic of soloists. Anna Shafajinskaia, soprano, Eugenia Greewald, mezzo-soprano, Franco Tanelli, tenor and Samuel De Palma gave sometimes limited but credible performances.

Singing in Latin and Italian is a pleasure for any smart singer and kno wn to clarify the sound, providing the singer caters slavishly to “le parole” (the words). Tanelli was the strongest of the soloists, delivering warm and lovely, resonant, tenor sounds largely due to his impeccable diction and vocal technique. Disconcerting was the occasional scooping and portamenti, inappropriate for this messa. Still he is a polished and well schooled and expressive singer with an appealing quality, well matched to the work. His “Ingemisco” was beautifully rendered with perfectly tuned, legato phrases.

Possessing a sterling history and cultivated demeanor and approach to her music, Eugenia Greenwald was impressive and reliably projected rich low and middle tones, a flexible top and impeccable musicianship.

De Palma, a singer who once possessed squillo, a brighter richness, displayed an overly darkened bass, short on the bottom notes with often difficult to understand diction. Perhaps this singer is insisting too much on his dramatic quality.

Anna Shafajinskaia’s soprano, for this evening, was too light for the work. Perhaps somewhat in- disposed, the voice, possessing beauty was often under pitch and shy on high notes. The soprano showed signs of tiring and disappointing was the much anticipated and legendary “Libera me” B flat which keeps any devotee in suspended animation, waiting for this glorious moment. The great maestro Verdi might have advised, “sta male, rest’ a casa. If you’re sick, stay at home.” One could intuit Anna’s concern. Still brava for a sincere and honest rendering.

Receiving a quasi standing ovation from an appreciative audience, the Messa afterglow was quickly interrupted by Sousa’s “… Stars and Stripes,” and the soloists were again brought onto the stage to take another bow with the orchestra. Irritating and confusing to one’s artistic sense and a strange and naïve choice, one can imagine the great Maestro, unhappy in his grave. Upstaged by Sousa!

Of utmost importance in bringing the public’s appreciation of fine music along is laying the groundwork, providing information that will fill in the blanks for the pedestrian listener. It is most curious that this company totes an educational slant on programming, yet did not include among the twenty or so glossy program pages of effusive promotion and biographies, program notes or a mention of Verdi's genius and the work’s interesting origin.

One must be young, zealous, and naïve or on the level of a Toscanini to grapple with the complex requirements of Verdi’s masterpiece. It ordinarily takes decades of world-class experience and virtuosity to earn the honor of being called by others “maestro.” Membership into the elite club of greats Giulini, Abbado, Muti and Von Karajan requires one to worship at the altar of the composer and realize that the music is indeed far greater than its recreator.

The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association and Jason Tramm should get an A for enthusiasm, and presenting this great work at the Jersey Shore.

By Patrizia Cioffi, Montclair resident and frequent vacationer in Ocean Grove. She is a classical singer,voice teacher/coach and freelance writer of articles, reports and reviews. She is the Artistic Director of “Le voci internazionali” and since 1982, has served the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts as a Fellow, on-site evaluator, reporter and panel member.

Messa da Requiem, by Giuseppe Verdi
Featuring Jason C. Tramm, Conductor
The New Jersey State Opera Orchestra and Chorus
The Great Auditorium at Ocean Grove
Sept. 12th, 2009, 8 PM

Soloists
Anna Schafajinskaia — Soprano
Eugenie Grunewald — Mezzo-Soprano
Franco Tenelli — Tenor
Samuel DePalma — Bass

Chorus Master — Charles Prestinari
Orchestra manager — Louis D’Amico