I am not going to actually write about Jesus Rafael Soto because he is an artist that I just came across as a result of auditing a class in Latin American Art History. And this isn’t the type of art that generally appeals to me but the videos show the appeal of the actual work in situ and the audience and their interaction with his work. It is really quite compelling how it makes people happy and adventurous. So here are three videos, all a bit different. The first two discuss his Penetrable series which is what caught my attention. The third is an interview with Mr. Soto who is speaking in Spanish but it has English subtitles. It gives us insight into his work, his history and his legacy beyond the Penetrable. So I hope you enjoy:
Surprisingly Jesus Soto is well known in most of the world but a virtual stranger in the United States. There are a lot of videos on YouTube that describe or portray his art…and there are several longer documentaries as well…so enjoy getting lost in his work!
I’ve decided to make May 2021 String Quartet Month here at An Intuitive Perspective. I’ve been enjoying any number of virtual string quartet concerts over the past fall and winter and thought it would be fun to share! And over the past two decades or so of my musical listening, I’ve been tending toward chamber music in general.
And my first offering is by the Fine Arts Quartet. This group is near and dear to me. When I first moved to Milwaukee to attend the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, they were in residence there. At the time I was more than aware of classical music but the BIG Orchestral pieces. Chamber music in general and string quartets in particular were pretty much unknown. And then I heard the FAQ in concert on campus and eventually satisfied one of the music requirements for my BFA by attending their chamber music in performance class. What an amazing experience…
So my inaugural May is String Quartet Month feature:
btw: back when I was in the record business, May was Montovani month according to the London Records ads in the Schwann Catalog. LOL!
and just in case you need an encore by the FAQ: Cesar Franck String Quartet in D Major, M. 9: I. Poco lento – Allegro:
What an exciting evening…finally getting back into a theater…for a live performance. Not quite what I would normally expect in the Quadracci Power House Theater. This would be perfectly suited to the Stackner Cabaret, but given the City of Milwaukee Health Department safety regulations around capacity and social distancing…this was a genius solution!
And Alexis J. Roston is just the perfect actor/vocalist to bring us Ella Fitzgerald on stage. She just owns every one of the standards that Ella brought to the American public. Man…what a voice…and what a sense of style…and skat singing! The room was just electric…and you could feel the wave of recognition and satisfaction move across the room when she started in to Summertime! So just expect to sit back and smile as you hear and remember classics from Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin. I don’t think anyone can leave the theater unhappy.
photo by JPM Photography
Ok, I am at a loss here and just a little bit sad. I have been over the Rep’s website and read other reviews and announcements but I haven’t been able to find the names of the musicians playing behind Ms. Roston. But it is a tight hot little quartet with bass, drums, piano, and saxophone /flute. And they provide the perfect musical bed that allows Ms. Roston to do her thing! From my seats I couldn’t see the bass or piano because they were behind the proscenium and the whole combo was pulled back so they could be distanced from Ms. Roston who was centered in the thrust stage and distanced from the audience. But the sound was perfect!
My one quibble…whoever wrote the book could have added more detail on Ms. Fitzgerald’s backstory, career, and the Great American Songbook. I realize the story is just to stitch the songs together, but I would have appreciated more detail.
IF YOU GO! I was there Tuesday night, April 27th, the first performance night. Friday April 30th is the official opening night and the show is currently scheduled to run through May 23, 2021. You can order tickets here!
And for safety?? You will be required to remain masked while in the theater and observe social distancing. When you purchase your ticket please pay attention because they are for timed entry. You will have to pass through an aisle of plexiglass to the theater entry and have your temperature taken. You will scan your own ticket and will be directed to the correct door into the theater. Total capacity is 25% so you will not be seated near anyone other than your own companion(s). And exit is controlled by the ushers when the program completes, starting with those in the back rows. Unavailable seats are taped off so that they can not be used. I can’t imagine how discouraging that must be for the performers to not only see empty seats but to see the obvious tape limiting their use.
But this is an enchanting show and if you are comfortable returning to the theater, here’s a good place to start. So let me leave you with this highlight of the evening:
