Review: Symphony soars above shows of recent past

The Omaha Symphony’s annual Christmas concerts have traditionally had the look and feel of old television variety shows.

This year’s program, which opened Friday night at the Holland Performing Arts Center and continues through Sunday, includes some familiar skits from years past. There’s local television personality Dave Webber reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” And, as always, the show has those adorable tap-dancing Santas.

But this year’s “Christmas with the Symphony” is remarkable more for its affecting lyricism and musical elegance than its kitsch. Consequently, it’s a much better program than in recent years.

Much of the credit for the program’s success goes to the artistic leaders, Ernest Richardson and Darren Lee.

Richardson, the symphony’s resident conductor, led his musicians in bright, crisp and vigorous arrangements of holiday standards. Richardson’s own choral and orchestral arrangements of Schubert’s “Ave Maria” and “O Holy Night” were also incredibly lush and luminous.

Lee, the director and choreographer, was just as successful, creating skits and dances that were often sweet and always stylish.

All of the symphony’s principal guest vocalists are first-rate. The husband-and-wife duo of Gary Mauer and Elizabeth Southard — who have toured nationally together as the leads in “The Phantom of the Opera” — sang beautifully all evening.

Mauer was especially unforgettable in a solo rendition of “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” singing with a golden tone and translucent falsetto. Southard made an equally strong impression with “Somewhere In My Memory,” singing with a full, rich soprano voice.

Other successful vocal performances included Peter Lockyer’s deeply felt interpretation of “Ave Maria” and Tiffany Haas’ sumptuous rendition of “O Holy Night.”

For the past six years, the Omaha Symphony has accompanied violinist Anne Nagosky and her student violinists in the show. On Friday, Nagosky and her 25 gifted protégés ages 6 to 17 played “What Child is This?” with melting tones and unfailing sensitivity.

Lee created two new skits. In the first, he danced the role of a homeless street musician who learns the true meaning of Christmas. In the second, Webber played a toymaker in a magical toy shop. Both routines featured expressive dancing from Gretchen Bieber, Carolyn Doherty, Marjorie Failoni, Tyler Foy, Daryl Getman, Bobby Pestka, Jody Reynard and Martin Samuel. Omaha dancer Madison Weaver, age 12, danced the lead in the toy shop scene with exuberance and proved to be a talent to watch.

Members of the Opera Omaha Chorus and Burke High School Concert Choir also performed with distinction.

Friday’s concert ended with the orchestra, chorus, guest artists, young violinists and actors leading the audience in a rousing holiday singalong. As the final notes of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” faded into the concert hall, the audience filed into the street outside, and many continued to sing carols. Now that’s what I call Christmas spirit.

Contact the writer:

444-1076, john.pitcher@owh.com

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