Singers slip into comfortable tunes for evening of pops

Plain Dealer - March 30, 2006

by Wilma Salisbury

Mezzo-soprano Frederica "Flicka" von Stade and bass Samuel Ramey have spent decades performing major roles in opera houses around the world. Now the two veterans have put together a lighthearted pops program that allows them to relax and have fun.

Von Stade set the informal tone for their concert Tuesday night st Akron's E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. She first told the audience about little-known 19th-century French singer-composer Pauline Viardot. Then she interpreted five Viardot songs with the skill of a singing actress and the expert collaboration of pianist Martin Katz.

When Ramey came onstage, the crowd surprised him by bursting into a chorus of "Happy Birthday." Although his magnificent bass sounded a little weary in Ravel's "Don Quichottee a Dulcinee," Ramey hit his stride later in the program.

The rest of the repertoire consisted of familiar American tunes. The artist took turns singing selections from Copland's "Old American Songs," and they combined their talents to produce the barnyard noises of "I Bought Me a Cat."

After intermission, the recital turned into "The Flicka and Sam Show." With the lights darkened, the singers sat on bar stools at a high table, sipped water from wine glasses and alternated performing classic tunes from Tin Pan Alley and Broadway.

Their voices sounded gorgeous in a set of Gershwin tunes that included "Fascinatin' Rhythm," "Embraceable You" and "The Man I Loved." Katz cleverly slipped in references to other Gershwin numbers. In music by Cole Porter and Jerome Kern, the pianist made clever allusions to Mozart, Wagner and cowboy songs. Von Stade struck an emotional chord softly singing Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns." Ramey was heroic in Mitch Leigh's "Impossible Dream."

A departure from the classical concerts usually presented by Tuesday Musical, the entertaining show charmed the audience. In response to prolonged applause, each artist offered an encore. Ramey poured out warm sentiments and glorious deep tone in "ol' Man River." Von Stade toasted the bass's birthday by changing the lyrics of "He's Just My Bill" to "He's Just My Sam." It was a warmhearted ending to a delightful evening of romantic songs.