HOLLYWOOD —It was a full house that greeted the Vox Femina Los Angeles choral group on Saturday night in downtown Los Angeles as they premiered “Sister, My Sister,” a special evening of music designed to celebrate Women’s Communities.
Throughout the centuries, and long before Susan B. Anthony began fighting for women’s rights by dispelling myths within her own female circles that they were not restricted to the kitchen nor did they have to accept less money for equal work, women have come together to form supportive and caring communities that make a difference in the world. In “Sister, My Sister,” the second concert of their 2009-2010 season, Vox Femina celebrated this age-old phenomenon at Zipper Concert Hall at The Colburn School.
“Although women’s communities have existed throughout the centuries,” says Dr. Iris S. Levine, Vox’s Artistic Director, “They typically are not recognized by those in power. But, they are vitally important for their members ”“ these communities offer support, help and care, as well as opportunities for play, activism and making an impact on others. Vox is a natural outgrowth of this tradition, and we want to celebrate it.”
The concert’s repertoire was wide-ranging with everything from chants by Hildegard von Bingen, parlor songs from Clara Schumann and Faustina Hasse Hodges, a vocal setting of Beethoven’s Minuet in G sung by women during World War II, to more modern selections such as Cris Williamson’s Sister and a Vox favorite, “Still I Rise.” “This was my first experience with Vox Femina. But it wont be our last!” stated Grammy-nominated recording artist, television and Broadway star Ilene Graff, who attended the concert with her husband and Musical Director Ben Lanzarone. “Every Vox concert is unique and special,” remarked Kate Linder (Esther Valentine of “The Young & the Restless”), “Their tribute to Broadway last year was amazing and the concert featuring Florence Henderson dedicated to cancer survivors didn’t have a dry eye in the house. I always know that I will be moved by a Vox Femina performance.”
Of particular interest and clearly a favorite of the audience was Vox Femina’s Voxettes, consisting of four members (Alyssa Cossey, Frances Chee, Missy Nieto and Carol Lisek) who offered renditions of “Lollipop” and “Mister Sandman” (both arranged by Anne Raugh and Deke Sharon) that had the audience humming, tapping and “POPing” along.
“We also premiered Healy Madrigals in this concert,” adds Iris, “A new commission composed by Roger Bourland, based on the work of L.A. poet Eloise Klein Healy. After presenting this in June 2009 as a work in progress, it was exciting to perform the finished piece.”
Under the Artistic Direction of Dr. Iris Levine, with pianist Lisa Edwards and instrumentalists Scott Babcock on percussion and Carl Sealove on bass, this musical journey through time as seen and experienced by women who were ”“ and still are ”“ there was a powerful event that patrons found moving, fun, and inspiring.
Photographs Courtesy: Maurine Dodge
