The Gilbert & Sullivan Society has expanded the repertoire that it presents to the public via the leadership of the affable and thoughtful John Goddard.
On Sun, May 3, Goddard has assembled orchestra, choirs and soloists for a performance of Mozart's Requiem. The performance (no charge, 3 pm) will fill the pleasant stone cathedral of St John Berchamans on Jordan St.
In a recent interview on his leadership in the G & S Society, Goddard said, "Last year, we teamed up with the Shreveport Chorale and The Texarkana Regional Chorale to put on the concert of Felix Mendelssohn's oratorio Elijah in Bossier at St. Jude. Mendelssohn was Arthur Sullivan's greatest musical influence at least early in his career & Sullivan's career catapulted after his "thesis" composition "Incidental music for The Tempest" written during his last year at the Leipzig Conservatory (which Mendelssohn founded) was repeated at Crystal Palace in the summer of 1862."
"This year, G&S expands its collaboration with partner organizations by adding the Texarkana College Choir to the Shreveport Chorale & The Texarkana Regional Chorale. We will have a performance in Texarkana on May 2, 2009 and the performance in Shreveport at St. John Berchmans Cathedral on May 3, 2009 at 3:00 pm. The orchestra of professional musicians and chorus will be conducted by Marc-Andre Bougie."
The concert features soloists Candace Taylor (soprano), Erin Roth (mezzo soprano), Ryan McDonald (tenor) & Steven McDonald (baritone).
Goddard is not a producer who wants limelight. He is an MD and occasional actor, a quiet but consistent supporter of drama and fine arts entertainment.
He has an interest expanding local arts production, too. Last summer he presented a young cast of actors and dancers at MLP in a hip-hop Shakespeare show called Big Willie Style. Though written and performed by a regional group, it was edgy and electric.
If you like the direction being taken by Goddard and the G & S, by all means give them your support by attendance and via monetary contributions. He is jggoddard@msn.com.
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