Alegría. Noun. Happiness or joy. This is what Rahel Moore intends to share with patrons of tomorrow’s Alegría event. Inspired by the happiness and freedom of the paranderos, but also by the traditional Christmas performers’ musical style, Moore has planned an evening of music performed in both Spanish and English, and featuring a number of traditional Christmas songs in both languages, such as Fum, fum, fum, and O Holy Night.
One particular highlight of the evening will no doubt be the jazz/operatic rendition of My Favourite Things, in which Moore will be accompanied by jazz pianist Chantal Esdelle. Other accompanists for the evening include pianist Enrique Ali, Felix Roach, cuatro player Michael Thompson, and Moore’s father, Roger, on the guitar.
It’s been a while since local audiences last heard Moore perform, except perhaps at private functions. Her last solo concert, An Evening of Song and Steel, was held last November. She laments that there aren’t very many opportunities to perform classical music in T&T, although she is certain that there is interest, at least on the part of the performers.
Moore’s dream is to perform in the United States or Europe, where there are more audition and performance prospects. She speaks hopefully of young artiste’s programmes, where young performers like herself are groomed in the skills necessary to enjoy a long and successful opera career.
In the interim, however, Moore has continued to train with her beloved vocal coach, June Nathaniel.
“The voice a muscle,” she explains, “and you have to keep developing it.”
Despite her affection for “Auntie June,” Moore wishes that some of her teachers from her time at the Royal College of Music could attend her performance, too. “They helped me find my voice,” she said.
With the spate of Christmas concerts from the regular choral suspects, why should audiences choose Moore’s Alegría? Because Alegría is more personal, more intimate. The programme has been carefully thought out, like a hand-made gift that the giver has crafted after hours of thought and labour.
Not your typical Christmas concert, the idea for Alegría came from one of Moore’s friends, who suggested the singer host a wine and cheese evening, where people could enjoy good music while trying different wines and cheeses. The evening will feature art songs such as Leslie Adams’ Creole Girl, but most of evening’s programme comprises familiar pieces, artfully arranged so that Moore can sing them well. This, she admits, was a challenge, especially with regard to the Royal College-trained soprano’s lower range.
Moore embraced the task, and worked with her accompanists to develop arrangements that are pleasant on the ear.
“I enjoyed it, because I wanted to produce something that would put the audience in the Christmas spirit,” she says.
Moore continues simply, “I see it as a gift. Here is this thing that I’ve studied for seven years, which I want to share with people. It’s like a part of me.”
Moore’s audiences on December 6 won’t be the only ones who are treated to a gift, however. Part of the proceeds from Alegría will go towards the All Saints Church Gordon Home for Senior Citizens, and will help towards the installation of an elevator system so that the home’s residents can move with greater ease between the top and bottom floors of the building.
Patrons already in possession of tickets for Alegría are advised to note the change of venue to the Chaconia Inn, Saddle Road, Maraval. The event beings at 5 pm.
