By Wilma Cromwell
Images by Allan Cabral/Courtesy of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Regardless of blizzard-like situations, an enthusiastic crowd got here out to the “Scorching, Scorching, Scorching” live performance on the Rose Theatre on Saturday afternoon that includes the Toronto Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Daniel Bartholmew-Poyser, Pan Fantasy Steelband led by bandleader Wendy Jones and arranger Al Foster together with three vocalists – Kimya Hypolite, Macomere Fifi aka Tara Woods and King Cosmos aka Henry Gomez.
This live performance was one in every of Daniel’s visions – to introduce the Symphony and the viewers to Calypso music and to collaborate with a Steelband in sharing the music of his mom’s homeland – Trinidad and Tobago. The calypsos have been chosen by him at the side of the singers and the Steelband. He informed the viewers that calypsos might and have been written about ‘all the pieces’ and he had a narrative to inform about each, its influence on him timelessness of calypsos. Particularly, “Capitalism Gone Mad” by the Mighty Sparrow continues to be as related as we speak because it was when it was first launched. Macomere Fifi did a superb job on this music ably assisted by Kimya and Henry on concord.
This system began with 5 songs performed solely by the Symphony and mirrored the assorted genres of calypso music from previous model kaiso to soca and chutney – songs like ‘Hookin Meh’ by Farmer Nappy sung by Kimya and Fifi, ‘Land of Calypso’ by Roaring Lion sung by Henry, ‘Calypso Queen’ by Calypso Rose sung by Fifi, ‘Om Shanty Om’ by Lord Shorty sung by KImya and ‘Capitalism Gone Mad’. The singers have been chosen based mostly on their vary and tonal high quality. Kimya, though she was the youngest of the group, displayed a professionalism far past her years – singing, dancing and completely participating with the viewers. She was launched to Calypso on the age of 8 when she enrolled within the ‘Move the Torch’ program began by the late Jayson Perez and Dick Lochan. She additionally acknowledged her fellow vocalists for being her mentors.
When Macomere Fifi sang, we have been transported again to her glory days because the seven-time Calypso Monarch. Her ardour, vocal vary and enthusiasm have been on full show as she carried us by means of her songs. The viewers particularly beloved her rendition of ‘Calypso Queen’ due to her lengthy and powerful affiliation with Calypso Rose and the message that it despatched about girls in calypso. That barrier has lengthy been damaged because of Rose and all the ladies who adopted.
Henry Gomez, a tireless employee for the calypso fraternity and a two-time Calypso Monarch, had a long-held dream fulfilled by showing on an enormous stage just like the Rose Theatre and Roy Thomson Corridor (Sunday’s Roy Thompson Corridor efficiency was cancelled on account of inclement climate). Gomez expressed his gratitude for being a part of this historic occasion – to mix the symphony with Steelband and vocalists.
Pan Fantasy then took to the stage to play with the orchestra on favourites akin to ‘Pan in A Minor’ by Lord Kitchener sung by Gomez with an attractive pan solo by one of many latest members of the band, Cas MacDonald. Renditions of Singing Francine’s “Parang Parang”, David Rudder “Calypso Music”, and Kes’s “Savannah Grass”. The viewers obtained extra animated because the afternoon unfolded exhibiting their love for the music and the performers.
On the finish, there was a standing ovation and the viewers demanded extra. After a fast session, Daniel requested Pan Fantasy to play Calypso Music once more and the viewers joined in dancing, clapping and singing together with Macomere Fifi on the refrain.
The final consensus within the foyer after the efficiency was that TSO ought to do a present like this yearly. Everybody was beaming as they filed out with calypso music of their heads. As Daniel said, “By this live performance, we reimagine Calypso’s vitality and spirit by mixing its storytelling with the sweeping sounds of the orchestra. Collectively we’ll rejoice the facility of music to attach individuals and cultures in a really extraordinary method.”
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