The best reaction I heard to Saturday's performance of "African Sanctus" at the Latchis Theatre came from the guy sitting next to me.
After the first movement — a rocking opener with heavy percussion and Brattleboro Community Chorus members singing their hearts out — he said "Whoa!" — in a breathy, awestruck, involuntary way, like a surfer whose been swept a mile down the shore by a powerful wave but has managed to stay on his board.
To me that says it all. Susan Dedell, the Community Chorus and the musicians involved deserve a great deal of praise for an energetic, deeply committed performance. The packed house at the Latchis — and isn't nice to see that big theater all filled up? — rose to its feet at the end for a standing ovation, demanding an encore. It was a memorable evening and a significant achievement in so many ways for all those involved.
Whoa!