Wow!! What a great experience!!!
Friday night was a little cold and raining and the weather kind of set the mood for the evening. As a whole, the performers were a little anxious and nervous but terribly excited at the same time. It's a series of emotions that are difficult to describe. The green room was buzzing with energy. I'd forgotten how much I LOVE hanging out in a green room waiting to perform!!! Even though the show experienced a few technical glitches (like blowing a fuse during the shepherd boy's solo, augh!!) overall the performance went well, not great but well.
Saturday night was totally different. Everyone was much more relaxed and joyful. The night was beautiful, cool but not cold. The audience was energizing and inspiring. In the green room before the show, Michael got a little emotional when he expressed his gratitude and testimony of the Savior. Emily, my section leader gave each of the second violins an ornament with a short note. I love her words, "We are showing our gratitude for Christ: His life, His atonement, and His resurrection." Friday night was a performance but Saturday night was a bearing witness of the birth of our Saviour. From my perspective there was a tangible difference felt as music filled the building. What a memorable experience!!
Here's an excerpt from the program booklet:
Bethlehem was written in Turin, Italy over the period of about 10 months, from October 2003 to August 2004. Composer Michael Turnblom was working on other projects when the idea came for a large-scale oratorio. His concept was to highlight the key elements of the Nativity story. For several months, he studied, researched, and composed using Luke chapter 2 as his primary source of inspiration. By August 2004, he had completed an initial version of the oratorio. After certain revisions and additions, the final version was completed the following year.
The oratorio includes a dramatization that underscores the various musical elements and visually recounts the story. Regarding this approach, Michael says: "I wanted to avoid any fictionalization and focus on what really happened--in real time, as it were. At the same time, the central character in the oratorio is the fictional shepherd boy, who is meant to represent all of us. Through his childlike wonder and sincerity, we should discover and rediscover the meaning of Christmas."
In 2006, Bethlehem received the Deseret Dramatic Recognition Award and was recognized by the Cultural Arts Committee of the Church of Jesus Christ of Letter-day Saints. Excerpts were performed in Salt Lake City this past February. Tonight's performance represents the world premiere of Bethlehem as a complete entity.
