Reviews

Review by Janet I. Martineau

Photographs by Pamela Hart

Midland paid witness to the world premiere of a major oratorio this past weekend. Contemplating Fire: Joan of Arc. Composed by Midland resident Robert Hart with Saginaw native Emily Marvosh, a contralto, in the title role. With fully half of the 18-member orchestra percussionists. At the Bullock Creek High School Auditorium, one of the best performance spaces in mid-Michigan.

In a nutshell it was an A+ production — its score, libretto, directing, staging, conducting, lighting, performances.

Hart’s score was a treat to the ears. Wonderfully percussive with punctuating drums and timpani yes but also beautifully subdued second act duets between Joan and King Charles VII (tenor Arnold Rawls) and Joan and her female celestial voice (soprano Martha Guth).

Parts for baritone Ryan De Ryke as one of the bad guy Royal Advisors gave him absolutely snarling lines which he delivered full tilt.

“We’ll barter! We’ll beggar! We’ll put her away!” This reviewer’s ear particularly enjoyed the flute/piccolo, cello, double bass and numerous xylophones/marimbas (not sure which, or both).

Throughout the score, Hart’s four characters frequently both spoke and sang within single lines. Loved it. The orchestra members became the rowdy mob taunting Joan outside her cell — “Heretic! Liar! Traitor! Witch!”

We needed a second viewing to take in all of the nuances of this score.

Marvosh, now living in the Boston area, was marvelous in her understated performance of Joan, full of captivating facial expressions and movement .....as well as nearly perfect diction vocally and verbally.

With everyone on stage, conductor Robert Nording of the Shoreline Music Society, at an angle at far right, was part of the visual delight with his facial expressions and intense and athletic conducting.

The capstone of this production was the work of stage director Michael La Tour from the Chicago area. His directing, set design and costuming were exquisite.

Joan barefoot throughout. Multi level risers, with the king at the top and seated on his throne and Joan on the lowest one in her dungeon. An absolute treacherous nightmare for the four cast members in traversing a variety of levels, often in the darkness and gracefully moving their music stands up and down and around, kneeling or laying down, off on their own or together as a quartet. Marvosh in particular in a variety of poses in her small square. Flawless.

Costuming .... A basic neutral T-shirt and casual slacks, often jeans, with a crown and jacket for the king and full length red robes added for the two nasty Royal Advisors. Red lighting from an unusual source during the burning at the stake. The powerful visual lowering and rising Joan at the end.

We could go on.

Which now brings us to the libretto by Sharon Curcio from California, whose biography is one for the records. From military intelligence to high school English teacher, from poet to screenplay writer.

Thank God for the 21-page, oversized, keepsake program. Absolutely filled with details, including the full libretto sharing the pain and heartbreak and anguish and grit of Joan’s last hours on earth. It is as brilliant as the score.

Sadly, except for Marvosh, it was pretty much inaudible by the other three cast members. Sometimes it was orchestra overpowering, but most of the time not.

Thankfully someone far wiser than I am said this is not unusual upon hearing a premiere piece. You are not familiar with it yet. Which immediately brought to my mind the first time I heard “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Evita” and “Rent.” The music was unusual, the concept was unusual, there was a whole lot to take in and I pretty much hated my first viewings. Now they are three of my favorite shows and I know most of their lyrics and even clearly hear them now.

And to be adament, I in no way hated “Contemplating Joan” upon its first hearing.

I was lucky enough to inadvertently sit next to the librettist during Sunday’s performance and we had a nice intermission conversation about how relevant to women this story remains.

And about Joan’s reaction to the mob taunts by saying “are these the titles you bestow for devotion love and service my lord? In return for France you give these? God keep your later officers and may he teach you to treat them better.”

This story never grows old and remains relevant still today,