Irizarry and his musicians opened the concert with the theme song from Arturo Somohano’s 1946 musical “El Misterio del Castillo."
Rafael E. Irizarry led the Arturo Somohano Puerto Rican Philharmonic Orchestra on Friday at Springfield Symphony Hall. REVIEW
SPRINGFIELD - Concert-goers thronging Symphony Hall swayed and swung to the music of Puerto Rico and Latin America for nearly three hours Friday evening, as Maestro Rafael Irizarry and the Arturo Somohano Puerto Rican Philharmonic Orchestra demonstrated why that ensemble is considered a national treasure of its island home.
Founded in 1950 by Puerto Rican pianist, composer, and conductor Don Arturo Somohano, the philharmonic has maintained an uninterrupted schedule of appearances before audiences of all ages in Puerto Rico and beyond, attaining the status of cultural patrimony and goodwill ambassador of the Puerto Rican people.
The philharmonic’s appearance on Friday was the realization of a dream for Heriberto Flores, president of the Farm Worker’s Council. Flores and the council organized the event with the help of numerous co-sponsors.
,Attended by dignitaries from Springfield and surrounding communities, the scope and meaning of the concert extended far beyond the excellence of the music-making. It was conceived, according to Flores, “…with the purpose of exposing New England to the best of Puerto Rican classical music during Hispanic Heritage Month, and celebrating the cultural diversity of our community.”
In addition to the superb performance, which brought the audience to its feet several times during the course of the evening, Flores and his colleagues made it possible for nearly 2000 Springfield school children to attend the Thursday rehearsal of the program with Irizarry and Springfield Symphony Orchestra Music Director Kevin Rhodes, who led the philharmonic as guest conductor in Leonard Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.”
Looking out over the well-filled hall during her introductory remarks, Vanessa Otero, a founding member of the Puerto Rican/Latino Leadership Council, the North End Campus Coalition Director and Operations Associate at Partners for Community, noted that this was probably one of the most diverse audiences ever gathered in Symphony Hall, a testament to the resounding success of an event billed as “DiverseCity – an evening with the Puerto Rico Philharmonic Orchestra.” To thunderous applause, Mayor Domenic Sarno proclaimed Friday to be Puerto Rico Philharmonic Day in the city. The radio duo Bax and OBrien from WAQY-FM, Rock 102, served as masters of ceremony.
Irizarry and his musicians opened the concert with the theme song from Arturo Somohano’s 1946 musical “El Misterio del Castillo,” the breezy, elegant “Dime,” setting a tone for the evening of rich, passionate melody propelled by vital rhythmic pulse. The orchestra further explored its heritage in a medley of songs by Felix Manuel Rodriguez Capo, and two Danzas; “Gloria” and “No me toques” by Juan Morel Campos. The sinuous, guiro- and castanet-driven dances clearly struck a chord with the audience, sparking widespread humming and singing in the seats.
Two fine singers joined the orchestra during the course of the concert, representing the rich Zarzuela tradition as well as classic Spanish canciones and popular songs. Soprano Rosa Betancourt, whose performing credits included a highly acclaimed Musetta in “La Boheme” with Opera de Puerto Rico, and numerous appearances in the United States and Europe in both standard repertoire and new music, thrilled the crowd with Pablo Luna’s “De Espana Vengo,” Maria Grever’s “Jurame,” and Sylvia Rexach’s bolero “Matiz de Amor.”
Tenor Cesar Hernandez heated up the hall with Pablo Sorozabal’s “No puede ser,” crooned Alfredo Lepera’s “El Dia que me Quieras,” and delivered a heroic account of Agustin Lara’s heroic “Granada.” Hernandez’s accomplishments included appearances at the Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds, Live from Lincoln Center, and a warmly hailed performance of the Verdi Requiem with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London.
Both singers brought to bear brilliant, spinning vocalism of the sort that thrills every atom of a listener’s being. Their engagement in the texts, excellent dynamic control, and careful use of the microphones made for natural-sounding performances that were perfectly balanced with the orchestra. The two joined forces in “Caballero del Alto Plumero,” from the Zarzuela “Luisa Fernanda,” and “Torero quiero ser,” from the opera “El Gato Montes,” igniting one of the many standing ovations of the evening.
To open the concert’s second half, Rhodes led the philharmonic in a high-octane ride through Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances.” In discussions with Irizarry prior to the concert, Rhodes had expressed his wish to perform “West Side Story” music with the Puerto Rico Philharmonic, precisely because of the cultural collision and potential for community-building that the music represented. The joy and commitment with which Rhodes and the Philharmonic players tore into Bernstein’s mambos, huapangos, and tangos spoke volumes about the universality and power of music. Smiles shot through the orchestra as they snapped their fingers to the ultra-hip swing of “Cool,” and shouted out “Mambo!” from the well-known “Dance at the Gym.”
Other highlights of the evening included the Interlude from Angel Pena’s score to the Puerto Rican film “La Gran Fiesta,” featuring haunting phrases from Virgil Rivera’s tenor saxophone. Concertmaster Jose Vanga also touched hearts with his sweet violin solo on “Sin ti” from “Recuerdos de Los Panchos.” The Symphonic Medley “Fragmentos de mi Tierra,” familiar Hispanic songs arranged by Jose Pujals, encouraged hearty singing from the audience, and inspired Irizarry to indulge in some subtle dancing of his own on the podium, to the delight of all present.
The philharmonic celebrated the pinnacle and the heart of Puerto Rican heritage and culture on Friday. It was also a triumphant night for symphonic music, and Rhodes expressed his own delight in seeing such a generous audience for orchestral repertoire. He invited everyone to join the Springfield Symphony Orchestra at its next classical concert on Nov. 3, promising one free SSO ticket to any ticket-holder in the hall.