Festival of Carols – Courtesy of Amanda Renzulli. Used with permission.
Of all the holiday shows I review each year; the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir‘s “Festival of Carols” is one my favorites because of my love for choral music and the usual artistic quality of the event itself. This year, I saw both a Wednesday performance at Clowes Memorial Hall and a Saturday performance at The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. This review focuses on the latter because in many ways it was a very different presentation and one, I preferred over the former which I felt was inferior, due to differences between the venues and the sound quality of each.
Festival of Carols – Courtesy of Amanda Renzulli. Used with permission.
Led by ISC Artistic Director Dr. Eric Stark, the chorus was accompanied by the superb Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and featured singer-songwriter Anthony Nunziata as a special guest and the Ben Davis High School Purple Aires, both of which were splendid attractions.
Nunziata, who performs internationally, is rapidly developing a Central Indiana fan base due to his previous performances as a headliner at Feinstein’s at the Cabaret. Tenor Nunziata who specializes in romantic songs and Italian arias, showed energy, charisma and vocal power during each of his four songs but stood out the most when he sang “The Prayer,” by Carole Bayer Sager and David Foster. Nunziata’s Italian heritage was no more evident than when he sang in the language of his Neapolitan ancestors, causing me to have a visceral emotional reaction to his passionate interpretation of what has become a classic anthem of faith and hope. My only regret is the affable crooner, whose career is on a rise, as evidenced by his Café Carlye appearance in NYC last fall, was not utilized more effectively. I would like to have seen his role expanded a bit more than it was. It was a missed opportunity on the part of the ISC.
Showcased properly on the other hand were the polished Spotlight Choir Ben Davis Purple Aires, led by Sarah Miller. Displaying impressive harmony and blend, they performed a moving rendition of “See Amid the Winter Snows,” and a rousing “Go Tell it On the Mountain,” which featured several splendid solos by several of the choir’s star vocalists.
As far as the concert itself, its overall pace was sluggish, particularly in Act 1 during a long stretch caused by the back-to-back programming of “Gabriel’s Oboe,” and “Hallelujah.” Though both moved me, my interest began to wane during the latter. Another distraction was scripted banter that sounded stilted and awkwardly delivered.
Festival of Carols – Courtesy of Amanda Renzulli. Used with permission.
On the plus side, besides the always consistent performance of the ISC, there were entertaining highlights in the concert that included “Snow,” and a cleverly arranged and improvised medley by pianist David Duncan that consisted of “Rudolph,” “The Drummer Boy,” and “O, Holy Night.” Also making positive contributions was Associate Artistic Director Dr. Michael Davis who conducted several pieces as did promising conducting fellow Kiki Porter who took to the podium as well. Daniel Watson, winner of the ISC’s 2023 Christmas Carol Commission Competition who composed “Good News” performed in Act 2, also deserves praise. Very touching was the combined choir’s performance of “The Dream Isaiah Saw,” that preceded the traditional “The Hallelujah” Chorus from “Messiah” which concluded the concert.
For tickets and information about the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir 2023 season visit indychoir.org.
Anthony Nunziata returns to Central Indiana for a Feb. 16 & 17 Valentine’s Day themed show at Feinstein’s at the Hotel Carmichael. Tickets are available at feinsteinshc.com.
On April 20 Nunziata performs a benefit for Magic Thread Cabaret at Basile Theatre at The Athenaeum Theatre. Beginning in January, tickets are available at magicthreadcabaret.com.
