Do You Hear The People Sing?

Are you sick of me talking about Les Miserables yet?  I hope not because tonight I attended a wonderful concert with the Utah Symphony, the Utah Symphony Chorus, and soloists Terrence Mann, Eric Kunze, Jennifer Paz, Sarah Uriarte Berry, and Marie Zamora featuring the music of Les Miserables.  Oh my goodness it was amazing and my heart is beating so fast as I think about sitting in Abravanel Hall listening to that magnificent music!  I knew it would be a great concert as soon as I heard the Utah Symphony play those instantly recognizable opening notes!  Sarah Uriarte Berry performed a very different interpretation of "I Dreamed a Dream" which was almost like a pop song and, surprisingly, I really liked it.  Jennifer Paz gave an incredible rendition of "On My Own" (my favorite song in the show) which had tears streaming down my face.  Speaking of tears, Eric Kunze (very easy on the eyes) had me in tears again with "Bring Him Home."  Terrence Mann, who was the original Inspector Javert on Broadway, gave one of the best performances of "Stars" that I have ever heard.  People in the audience leapt to their feet to give him a standing ovation in the middle of the show!  Mann and Berry performed a hilarious version of "Master of the House" which relieved conductor Jerry Steichen of his wallet!   Marie Zamora and Kunze had such incredible chemistry in "In My Life - A Heart Full of Love" that I didn't even hate the character of Cosette in this show!  The Utah Symphony Chorus was so stirring in the songs "At The End of the Day" and "One Day More" that I had goose bumps (I have goose bumps now just remembering it).  Before the final song, "Do You Hear the People Sing," Jerry Steichen brought Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, the composers, to the stage.  They were actually there in Abravanel Hall!  The standing-room-only crowd went into hysterics!  What a fabulous show and a lovely way to end the week!

Note:  It was such a good week!  My seniors have been working on creating websites and they have really enjoyed it.  One particularly difficult student came up to me after class one day and told me what a fun assignment it was!  I got tickets to the Rush concert coming this summer.  Even though I have seen Rush at least six times, I could not be more excited for this show!  Finally, my girl scout cookies were delivered this week.  Alas, they are almost gone...