January 24, 2009

WESTCHESTER, NY.--Two celebrated sopranos, one honored as an Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) woman, the other a critically-acclaimed coloratura soprano, bathed in the beauty of the Divine Performing Arts Chinese New Year Splendor's opening performance held Friday night at the Performing Art Centre, Purchase College.

In unison, both ladies said that the presentation was "unique and very, very fascinating."

Dr. Gaither-Graves, a classical soprano, who is listed along with other AKA women such as world-renowned jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, Gladys Knight, and Alicia Keyes to name a few, relished the show.

"We thoroughly enjoyed this evening's performance--very lovely, very beautiful. The colors, the costumes, and the scenery were magnificent, and, of course, I was very enthused with the drumming, being into music and all," she said.

Drums played an integral part in ancient China's rich culture. In the show they provided the rhythm for a vibrant dance demanding great flexibility and aerial work fitting a festive occasion.

Dr. Gaither-Graves also commented on the agility and graceful beauty of the female artists.

"The dancers were very elegant and extremely revealing in what they relate in their stories," Dr. Gaither-Graves said.

Coloratura soprano Ms. Davis interjected. "I like the flowers, I love the fans...their smiles, they looked like they were enjoying it--vivacious."

Ms. Davis was referring to a piece in the program "Welcoming Spring," a dance that joyfully ushers in the new season after a hard, cold winter. Crisp movement and bursts of color form the basis of this fan dance.

Dr. Gaither-Graves then talked about "Dignity and Compassion," a portrayal of the imprisonment of a Falun Gong practitioner tortured to the brink of death for a belief outlawed in communist China today.

"It was very professional. I enjoyed it very, very much because it related to humanity and the idea of being able to feel compassionate toward one another, bringing peace, as well as forgiveness that you express as a human being."

As a vocalist, Dr. Gaither-Graves extolled the soloist soprano, tenor, and baritone who, with piano accompaniment, sung impassioned arias that evoked a sense of spirituality, bringing to life traditional Chinese thought and belief.

"Because it is an emotional expression, a human expression, I feel that they sang very, very much from the heart, the soul," Dr. Gaither-Graves said.

Ms. Davis, who is perhaps best known for her Metropolitan Opera debut as "Queen of the Night" in the Marc Chagall production of "The Magic Flute," complimented all aspects of the DPA performance.

"I enjoyed it--presentation is so important. It is what you cannot give your audience, that which you cannot feel they felt...they felt every word. They [DPA artists] knew exactly what they were doing. It was something that they were making a statement about."

Both congratulated the hosts saying they were "cute."

"They loved what they were doing and they communicated so well to the audience," Ms. Davis said.

The two singers were also stirred by the "unique and very fine" orchestra.

Dr. Gaither-Graves said the stringed instruments and percussion worked in harmony and unison, creating a rhythmic expression that complimented the dancers.

The two artists also applauded the breathtaking digital backdrops that added a sense of awe to each staged item.

"I think the screen, the background, how the performers were able to come directly from the screen and go into the screen was very, very fascinating," Dr Gaither-Graves concluded.

From the opening gong that heralds each performance to the riveting drum sequences, soulful erhu solos, hypnotic bamboo flutes throughout, state-of-the-art digital backgrounds, and the orchestra's expressiveness--all gave these vocalists with an unforgettable experience.