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Letter to the editor: Tip of the hat to the PGSO

It is most rewarding that such true Canadian talents came to our Vanier Hall stage to perform.
PGSO Splendourous Spring May 29 7
PGSO Maestro Michael Hall.

Sincerest compliments and praise to the Prince George Symphony Orchestra an outstanding performance of your Opera Favourites program.

It most certainly brought warmth, joy and light on this rather dark, blustery and snowy day.

The program was well balance as it started with the very popular overture from Rossini’s Barbiere di Seviglia and George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto after the intermission. Then all the excerpts from well-known operas sung by soprano Emma Johnson and baritone Jason Cook. It was a delight!

Having had the privilege to attend many operas and concerts in Vienna, known as the “cradle of music,” Salzburg, Leipzig (Gewandhaus), and Prague, where the very first performance of Mozart’s Don Giovani took place in October 1787, I was thrilled to be in Vanier Hall that afternoon and be able to thoroughly enjoy the many excerpts heard many times before, Mozart being my favourite composer.

Coming back to soprano Emma Johnson and baritone Jason Cook, it is most rewarding that such true Canadian talents came to our Vanier Hall stage to perform.

It is reminiscent of another well-known true Canadian and local talent: Ben Hepner from “downtown Pouce Coupe” (Dawson Creek). He distinctively brought our region on the proverbial map. My predictions would be similar for Emma Johnson and Jason Cook, and not to forget Grace Li. It was beyond fascination to observe the dexterity of her fingers as they flew over the piano keys! One had the tendency to forget the actual music.

A big thank you for this beautiful afternoon. The standing ovations were well deserved.

A. Van der Post

Prince George