The program began with AVAS chorus' spirited "It's a Grand Night for Singing," which might have proved an ideal light prelude to the second segment had it not been for technical balance problems with the chorus being frequently overshadowed by the orchestra.
Such problems were diminished later with the addition of soloists at the front of the stage. Kulesza, who directs the Peabody Opera Program, introduced soprano Jennifer Holbrook and tenor William Davenport, both Peabody students who will soon appear at Peabody's performance of La Traviata.
From Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata, Holbrook, Davenport and the AVAS choristers delivered "Libiamo" - one of opera's favorite drinking songs - in sparkling fashion. This was followed by an enchanting "Barcarolle" from Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman, with Holbrook and Davenport bein joined by soloist Karen Baumbach of AVAS. Each soloist deserves praise for vocal beauty, musicality and a command of the stage.
Lilting waltz melodies from Gounod's Faust and Strauss' Die Fledermaus, combined with excellent singing from soloists and choristers and a fully engaged orchestra, provided outstanding soloists in concertmaster violinist Dana Goode and principal flutist Elizabeth La Dana.
The program concluded with the works of two great American composers. Aaron Copland's American opera Tenderland was heard in a lively "Stomp Your Foot" and an exuberant "The Promise of Living." Leonard Bernstein's brilliant operetta Candide was recalled in an inspired "Make Your Garden Grow" that was enchanting.
The next PAAL concert at Chesapeake Arts Center is scheduled for Dec. 14 when rising mezzo soprano Carla Dirlikov will be joined by her husband, tenor Michael Gallant, in a program of Broadway love songs, Spanish favorites and Christmas music. AVAS will present a Christmas concert Dec. 7 at Eastport United Methodist Church. Information: arundelvocalarts.org.
The Londontowne Chamber Orchestra will present a concert Nov. 16, and the full orchestra will offer a concert Jan. 18 at Southern High School. For information on Londontowne's schedule, go to Londontownesymphonyorchestra.org.
