Little Fires Everywhere in Bridgeport
Illusions of fire, of ice, of steady pay for musicians.
Performers:
A local string quartet that might not exist outside of the context of the show.
Program:
The “Candlelight” by Fever winter performance, featuring selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, holiday medleys including Christian and secular classics, Ma’oz Tzur, and more “wintry mix” such as Debussy’s “The Snow is Dancing” and Waldteufel’s “The Skaters’ Waltz.” A one-hour gently guided show designed to be more accessible than traditional symphony fare.
Position: A raised table (cabaret seating) to the front, righthand side of Bijou Theatre in Bridgeport
Purpose/Intent/Questions: In the interest of preventing my mother from becoming an absolute barnacle in her retirement, I try to schlep her out at least once a month. Last month was a bit strenuous, so this month we chose something a little easier. I’m also emotionally invested in the arts community of Bridgeport, home of the art gallery I grew up in.
How’d it go?
I’ll admit—this was much more enjoyable than I had anticipated it being. Does it feel weird to go to such a short concert? Yes, a bit. Is it strange to see a random quartet of local musicians who, hey, are happy to have another paid gig? That’s life, I’m glad they have work. Is it… a thing? Is it functional?
The zillion fake candles are part of the gimmick, setting the mood, and it is kind of nice. In a world of constant multisensory overstimulation, it actually does seem like a helpful visual aid for introducing people to live classical music. It’s not intellectually challenging. It’s relaxing. It’s not going to ruin the experience for anyone unless a snob who has to have good lighting to watch the violinists’ fingering like a hawk managed to sneak in. It makes it feel like more of an “event” than the presence of a quartet in the stark white light of modernity might come across. Less “we walked in on a bunch of kids practicing a ditty” and “oh, this was set up.” And it was. Even though the candles are electronic, placing and turning on well over a thousand wiggly flames does take time.
As far as the music, it was played competently and a nice variety. I’m glad that it didn’t digress into a singalong of the most elementary Christmas carols; there is so much great holiday and seasonal music that seems to escape our ears season after season because Mariah Carey made a contract with God, the devil, and Macy’s to have personal and direct access to the majority of Americans for one month each year. In particular, I was glad to hear Ma’oz Tzur rather than some of the more tragic, childish, contemporary Chanukah songs, and the Tchaikovsky and Waldteufel were different, equally appreciated treats.
I had a good time. Mom had a good time. The quartet, though students based out of New Haven, were quite professional and will hopefully get stable employment after graduation. Nobody stood out as section leader material, but nor was anyone treated to jeers of “learn to code.”
Pleasant.