Ocean Aires “Dirty Dozen” is Classic Fun
                                                                                  by Sherri Rase
Twelve years.  Twelve angry musicians.  Divas and Divos stamped their feet and flatly refused impresario Isaac Steven Vaughan – this year classical music was played by musicians who were unshaven, casually dressed members of a community of friends whose entertainment value was huge and whose egos were surprisingly small.

The dynamic duo of classical music in Cherry Grove, Isaac and Philomena headlined an all star cast of Manhattan professionals and local favorites beginning with specially composed theme and variations by Seth Bradford revolving around God Save the Queen specially heralding the entrance of the newly crowned Beach DeBree.  Isaac on accordion was joined by Laura Ann Giusto on trumpet, the lovely Chris McDonnell on flute, Fred Chang and Christopher Minarich on violins, Seth Bradford on viola, Kurt Behnke on cello and Gene Rohrer and Christopher Vassiliades on piano.  The assembled were dressed in vintage look bathing costumes and Ms. DeBree has never been serenaded as she was that night!

W. John Bainbridge tromped onstage immediately after, neatly clad a la James Bond in white shirt with bow tie – beneath a 3mm wetsuit complete with flippers and scuba mask!  It must have been difficult to play with blocked vision, but the Allegro movement of Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 12 in F major, K332 has ever seen such a reading!

Operatic bass Eric Coyne accompanied by the multi-talented Gene Rohrer gave us Lasst mich fragen from “Martha, oder der Markt zu Richmond” cheering the audience with a delicious beer.  Adding vintage look mustachios to their bathing costumes, Eric and Gene were the very vision of handsome turn of the century bathers.  When the basso got to the profundo part of the song, I believe the garage door of the Cherry Grove Fire Department opened!

Chopin’s “Minute” Waltz followed immediately, with Isaac displaying his manual technique cherishing each fluid note of this familiar piece.  Brilliant!

Yours Truly was accompanied by Gene Rohrer on Pauline Viardot’s composition, Havanaise.  A Spanish man using his wiles to lure a comely Frenchie wenchie on to his boat?  What could be more summery?  Viardot was a noted mezzo in her life time and the challenge is certainly there for others in this piece!

Act I closed with Borodin’s String Quartet No. 1 in A major, Scherzo, the third movement, done lively and well by the returning Fred Chang and Christopher Minarich on violins, composer Bradford on viola and Kurt Behnke on cello.  Delicious way to end the act!

Act II opened in dramatic fashion with the stellar voice and presence of Shirley Ritenour.  Her deft and beautiful instrument was well displayed as she sang In quest reggia from Turandot.  Her soprano filled the Community House with angst, drama and beautiful tone.  Brightly attired in vivid lime green and bright pink, nature often makes us aware of brilliant creatures by dressing them in bright colors!

Clarence Perry nearly sky clad, save for a towel, brought us Suite Andalucia: Malaguena bringing us back to a balmy Spain and evoking thoughts of romance. 

Still international, Bari-tenor Brent Weldon Reno joined powerful forces with our string quartet to bring us the sobering Dover Beach, set by Samuel Barber to Matthew Arnold’s powerful poem about war.  With men and women dying for our country, our thoughts strayed from our beach to the sands where conflicts are even now occurring.  Brent’s voice is strong and beautiful, wringing remembrance and thoughtful reflection.

Christopher Vassiliades brought his “A” game to treat us with the Allegro quieto movement of Kupferman’s Sonata Occulta, a bravura piece of 20th century classical music.  I fancied I got quotes of Darth Vader’s theme, but I’m a child of the 70s.  Vassiliades brings great technique and musicianship to a piece few could tackle.
Curtis Strohl and I jumped into the delightful “Oh Happy We” from Candide, giving it a Cherry Grove twist.  Curtis sang the Cunegonde role while I tackled Candide.  Typical of many couples, each spun different dreams of domestic bliss, but all comes together in the end!

The final piece of the evening was the delightful Bolling Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio from which the Baroque & Blue and Javanaise movements were presented.  Chris McDonnell returned on flute and Kurt Behnke on cello joined Isaac, who puts the Imp in Impresario, for this powerhouse finish to an evening of classical love. Philomena’s classic brilliance and bathing beauty contest entrant outfits kept the audience on their toes and later brought them to their feet. 

Isaac and Philomena are already planning Ocean Aires 13, so make your plans now and enjoy the best in classical performance.

                                                             Photos by Martha


Isaac Steven Vaughan on accordion, Chris MacDonnell on flute, the quartet - Fred Chang and Christopher Minarich on violins, Seth Bedford on viola and Kurt Behnke on cello, also Gene Rohrer and Christopher Vassiliades on piano


homecoming queen, Beach DeBree


some of the performers who played God Save the Queen the four in front played later in the program as a quartet. The musicians on stage were:  Laura Ann Giusto on turmpet,
Isaac Steven Vaughan on accordion, Chris MacDonnell on flute, the quartet - Fred Chang and Christopher Minarich on violins, Seth Bedford on viola and Kurt Behnke on cello, also Gene Rohrer and Christopher Vassiliades on piano
 

Is the entrance of our emcee, Philomena




Seth who arranged the God Save the Queen piece, the first time an original arrangement has been prepared and performed for the entrance of the queen at Ocean Aires.


#8 Phil is passing out Ricola because it is a 'candy' whose wrapper will not make noise when opened during a performance.  We egged her on and she tossed some up into the balcony, in such a ladylike kinda way


this is the entrance of W. John Bainbridge, piano. He played W.A. Mozart's Piano Sonata


a good looking beach goer helps John out of his wet suit


John sitting down to play, notice his flippers conflict with the piano foot pedals
 

 removes flippers


the twins who came out on stage between all performers to rearrange everything, here they are taking care of the piano, which they did most carefully and many times that night




phil expounding on some fantastic exaggerations that are apparently always incorporated into the script


Gene Rohrer on piano, settling in for F. von Flotow's Lasst mich euch fragen from Martha, oder Der Markt zu Richmond. He will be joined by Eric Coyne bass soloist


 Gene and Eric take a bow


Isaac performs F. Chopin's Valse Op. 64, No. 1 "Minute"


The twins 'did we forget something?"


P. Viardot's "Havanaise" Gene Rohrer on piano and Sherri Rase soprano
 

The quartet performing A. Borodin's String Quartet No. 1 in A major III. Scherzo: Prestissimo - Trio: Moderato. They are Fred Chang and Christopher Minarich on violins, Seth Bedford on viola, and Kurt Behnke on cello


Phil changed her clothes at intermission and reappears with sash self-proclaiming herself Miss Ocean Aires


Phil holding  Blind Auction item, land's end canvas boat bag with over 2 dozen cds and dvds of famous braodway shows,  announcing the winning bid of $250 to benefit the Arts Project of Cherry Grove


G. Puccini's In questa reggia from Turandot.  Shirley Ritenour soprano and Isaac Steven Vaughan piano. This brought the house down! Shirley was fabulous singing and very dramatic


E. Lecuona's Suite Andalucia: Malaguena   Clarence Perry topless on Piano


Clarence (we call him Kye) strides to center stage to take his bow


 Brent Weldon Reno, baritone


Chris bows after performing M. Kupferman's Sonata Occulta (1979) IV. Allegro Quieto   Chirstopher Vassiliades, piano. I don’t  know how he could move his fingers that fast. Later I asked him if they (his fingers) were insured by Lloyd's of London!


5 L.Bernstein's Oh, Happy We from Candide. Here Gene Rohrer takes his seat at the piano


Sherri Rase Soprano, and Curtis J. Strohl  tenor (and recently returned from Germany) sing Oh, Happy We


Bolling's Suite for Flute & Jazz Piano Trio (1975)  I. Baroque and Blue III. Javanaise
Chris MacDonnell flute, Isaac on piano and Kurt Behnke cello.
 


twins make a quick costume change for their bow


Gene Rohrer bows


entire company on stage for final bows to standing ovation


Martha, your photographer, and Beach DeBree after the show