Co-Conductors Beth Ann Bonnecroy and Rebecca Rottsolk specialize in healthy singing and development of singers' personal vocal technique, and this contributes to the free, beautiful sound their choirs achieve. Seattle's Mirinesse Women's Choir, founded in 2006, has thrilled audiences in and around northwest Washington with the lovely sound of healthy, classically-trained women's voices, singing a challenging and diverse repertoire of historic and contemporary tunes from around the world. "Hope Sings Eternal" is the fourth excellent CD by Mirinesse, an auditioned group of women, ages 21 to 70, who were honored to perform at ACDA Conventions in Oklahoma City and Seattle, and at the 2012 Elektra Women's Tapestry Festival in 2012. There is a generous collection of 16 cuts here, some favorites are Eleanor Daly's "A Hymn for St. Cecilia," the traditional "Peace Like a River," Jaakko Mantyjarvi's lively "Pseudo-Yoik Lite," Nicola Porpora's "Lauda Jerusalem," "Chant for Great Compassion" by Abbie Betinis, Antonio Sacchini's sweet, violin-accompanied "Te Dum Laudamus, mvt 3," Eric Whitacre's violin-accompanied "She Weeps Over Rahoon," Joan Szymko's "The Peace of Wild Things," David Sasso's flute and piano-accompanied "Night" and a live cut, the clarinet and piano-accompanied Yiddish Folksong "Ale Brider." Most of the songs are lightly accompanied by piano and/or other instruments. "Hope Sings Eternal" is a feel-good, soaring collection of perfectly sung tunes, and like us, we think you'll love Mirinesse! |