Mozart enchanting the audience

By Mieke Mintjes.

HEELSUM - “Whom of the ladies would like to dance?” The singer looks invitingly at the audience. But the audience is still so impressed by the thrilling tones in the church that everybody fails to react. Breathlessly they were listening to the performance of the chamber opera, which rightfully goes by the name “Enchanted by Mozart”.

This special evening was presented by “The Angela Pro Deo Foundation”, which aims are promoting music, health and peace. The Dutch opera by Mozart/Talis, performed by five musicians, has the theme “choose for love”. Soprano Laura van den Boogaard, mezzo-soprano Gertie Savelkoul, contralto Angela Andáy and tenor Menno Slagter were accompanied by Hilda van Haeften on harpsichord.

A diversity of musical instruments have been used. The ‘table organ’ and the ‘piano for children’ were played by Andáy, and Slagter took the chimes and recorder to hand. “It seemed somewhat medieval” is the perspective of Mrs. Van Haaren from Renkum. “It is comforting, really funny, and the voices are very pure. To me it is marvellous!”

The atmosphere and the acoustics of the little protestant church makes it the perfect location for this performance. The substance of the chamber opera is light-hearted, playful and full of humour. One hardly hears lines like “Oh, don’t you think it’s time now?”, “Sheep and cows, chewing in the meadows” and “for more music, health and peace, we sang these melodies” in an opera. But it suits this opera wonderfully.

The performers try to invite the audience to whistle, dance and sing along. Well, after the break the crowd joined in, albeit reserved.

“Truly enchanting! The voices sound really beautiful. I have never been to this church before. I’m from Wageningen, and I used a city direction to find the way. I surely have no regrets, it has been so very special.” says a lover of Mozart, Carla van Venetiën, still glowing.

Bernhard van Beek also enjoys the performance. “I recognised several arias” he says, and points out some well known pieces: ”Der Vogelfänger”, and “Komm, lieber Mai”. He also enjoyed previous concerts in this church performed by musicians of “The Angela Pro Deo Foundation”. He remembers: “The audience has always been enthusiastic about them”.

The flowers he presented at the end of the concert to the singers and the musicians, evoked an encore with the suitable words “Folks are like flowers, all together in one beautiful bouquet.”

The coming performance of AngelaProDeo’s opera “Enchanted by Mozart” will be on Monday, October 30, in the Doopsgezinde Kerk, Delhorstpad 6, in Wageningen. Starting at 8.00 PM. Entrance to this one hour performance is free.

Passion Concert in Heelsum

By Maria Derckx.

HEELSUM - Works of Händel, Bach and Vivaldi were programmed for the passion concert on April 11th in the local “Church on the Hill”. The well known contralto Angela Andáy was in the limelight during this wonderful evening. The arias were chosen carefully, according the soberness of the Holy Week.

The children’s choir De Notenkrakertjes (Nutcrackers) an the ladies choir Velvet Voices also had an important part in this concert, where as the accompaniment was taken care of by Harry Schram on organ and Diederik Walraven on gamba and flute.
The last one was invited to play in this concert only a few days before and he was admired for the somewhat improvising way of his contribution to the concert.
The organ was played stabile and soundly, supporting the singers. Like on wings of the sea the meditative songs quietly went on. Usually Angela sang solo and here and there the others serenely joined in. The Ave Maria of Schubert, arranged by Maria Talis, was put into a warm light by the contralto and both choirs.
The church is very suitable for a concert like this. While the rain and cold kept the spring still away, it was very pleasant to be amidst the sounds of passion. And after the serious or even sad songs, ‘Maria’s Lullaby’, although in sober earnest, sparkling created a ‘revivification’. Also the ‘Qui sedes’ from the Gloria of Vivaldi let the sun come in, leading to parts from the Hohe Messe by Bach, convincing everyone that it’s time to consider how we are living in the days before Easter.
Like in all Passion concerts, this evening we heard from the Matthew Passion by Bach ‘Erbarme Dich’ (Have mercy). This was performed very musically and in a comforting way by the contralto, gamba and organ. Her voice is significant and her timbre is warm. It is special to know that Angela Andáy, Jessye Norman and Placido Domingo together have been listed in a Top 10 of the Dutch classical broadcasting. The last seat in the church should have been taken.