Bach Contata and VMB Review

Greetings from Mme Theo:

We have had 2 events back to back, with a third next weekend.  I am playing a little catch up with today's entry and combining a review of the Bach cantata and the Vampire Masquerade Ball together.

  Bach Cantata Choir:  Sunday last was our second visit to the Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, home of Portland's Bach Cantata Choir.  Their mission is to sing the entire set of cantatas composed by JS Bach over a period of 20 years.  An ambitious goal that they have been pursuing since 2006.  For those unfamiliar with the Cantatas, they are religious in nature.  However most are sung in German, and as the Chevalier happily pointed out "anything sung in German sounds like a drinking song". 
The program is usually broken up with other composers from various epochs.  For example, Giovanni Palestrina's "Sicut Cervus"  and Dieterich Buxtehude "Ad Faciem" were included for this special Lenten Concert.  We were graciously introduced to the choir's director, Ralph Nelson, on our last visit. A soft spoken gentleman with quiet humour, Mr Nelson  explained each piece in context of the time period and it's choice for this liturgical holiday.  His historical tidbits added to the experience, as well as providing a base for those whom may not be familiar with the religious metaphors.
The concerts run a little over an hour, and an amazing amount of music is packed into that short period of time.  The soloists have excellent musical pedigrees.  Some have won prestigious awards and their vocal training is included in the program.  Combined with the enthusiasm and talent that the orchestra puts into the performances, the overall spirit is infectious.  The concerts are free, but the Choir survives (and prospers) on the generous donations from the community.  
Many of the performers and audience members greeted us most affably on our return visit. The volunteers had generously reserved a pew for LBT members, upon my request.  And, although we had some last minute cancellations, members of the Portland Steampunk Society arrived in time to round out our little group.

Vampire Masquerade Ball:    To quote the website "The Annual Vampire’s Masquerade Ball is a night of gothic elegance and decadence highly anticipated each year in the city of roses"  As past attendees of several balls, Chevalier and myself can attest that Portland's 9th Annual VMB did not disappoint. Located in the historic Melody Ballroom, guests are encouraged to indulge in themed cocktails, view steamy burlesque and other performance art, and participate in a Midnight Waltz hauntingly performed by Adam Hurst and his ghostly cello. Outside of norm of LBT outings, the ball was  proposed as an adventure in the vein of the Hellfire Club, frequented by the likes of Byron at the turn of the 18th Century.  And so, an evening in which members may wear more fantastical costuming, as evidenced by our own Lady Sully and Mrs Cartwright's gowns a la victime.

The evening commenced at 8:30pm with our arrival at the pre-cocktail party hosted by Chateau Iniquitous.  A sirloin roast was prepared for guests, and Chevalier and Captain Cartwright sabred open bottles of champagne. Guests were treated to an impromptu performance on the pianoforte by another guest. The pre-party is a chance to mingle more intimately but perform more formal introductions.  However, by 9:30pm, our group decided to move on to the main event at the Melody Ballroom.  And though the name suggests vampires would be in attendance, there was little blood nor fangs and only one confirmed zombie sighting.   Mme Bordeaux and myself spent much of the evening gawking at the other guests and greeting old acquaintances.  A gentleman in our party kindly prepared a glass of Absinthe for me, and like a little votive to the gods of decadence, it glowed cheerily in the half lit ballroom.  
As usual, the other attendees' costumes were gorgeous and inventive.  One guest sported a bird skull on her dainty chapeau.  You can view her designs for sale on Etsy at www.voodoodolldesigns.com. 
The time flew by quickly, so that after several turns around the dance floor and constant costume ogling, Madame and I discovered we had completely ignored or missed most of the performance artists.  Not ones to despair, we still had a few moments to prepare our souls for transcendence at the Witching Hour.  The local composer & cellist, Adam Hurst took the stage to perform the Midnight Waltz.  Of surpassing tragic beauty, Mr Hurst's cello wove a lyrical magic spell around the swaying couples that waltzed in the semi-darkness.  To experience the divinity of Adam Hurst for yourself, visit his website at www.adamhurststudio.com. 

More photos of the event to follow in later posts.