Giuseppe Campora e Renata Tebaldi - Libiamo ne' lieti calici (Brindisi), La Traviata
A friend took me to a choir concert in a Catholic church. I rarely get into a Catholic church except the Cathedral downtown, which was built more than 100 years ago, so got into this one to me was a strange experience of space. I mean the space is exciting, defined by the arch vaults, high ceiling, dome, classical chandelier, but somehow it felt dull because, I don't know, it's not that I understand neo-gothic architecture, it lacks the details which I think should really come along with the style. With very minimal architectural decoration, it came out very plain, the space merely become just a shape, define by the solid surfaces, but without the spirit of the place.
I didn't really enjoy the concert either. I mean, the blend and the arrangement of the voices came out great and nice, but to me it lacks something more that could make it special. Specially at the first session before intermission, they didn't dim the light, which I think is important for a musical concert or any stage performances. And the acoustic is terrible I can barely heard the soloists' voice. The only part that I enjoyed was the last song before the encore, Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata. It's more because of the song that is enjoyable and familiar to the ear. However, I don't really understand why a church choir sings this song which is about sharing joy, with drinking, in a context of romantic love.
