Concert Preview
Seattle Men's Chorus will 'Haul Out the Holly' early this year

By Melinda Bargreen
Seattle Times music critic

	MEL CURTIS The Seattle Men’s Chorus show tomorrow in Tacoma will feature “American Idol” Jim Verraros, above, not to mention the chorus’ Reindeer Dancers.
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There's an out-of-town preview at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in Tacoma's Pantages Theater; then there are 2 and 8 p.m. shows Sunday on the Benaroya mainstage. Everett's Civic Auditorium will host the show at 8 p.m. Dec. 6.

Conductor Dennis Coleman assembles the 200 chorus members again on Dec. 7, 16, 21, 22 and 23, all at 8 p.m. in Benaroya Hall. This time, the Watjen Concert Organ also will get a workout, with organist Michael Koller (of Bellevue's First Congregational Church, where Coleman is choir director) at the keyboards and the pipes.

There's more: The Italica Brass will participate, along with the usual chorus subgroups (including the hilarious ensemble Captain Smartypants, reportedly readying a number from "Nutcracker").

And the two opening performances this Sunday, as well as tomorrow's Tacoma show, will feature "American Idol" Jim Verraros, one of the top 10 finalists on the hit TV show. He'll sing his original song "Hold On," as well as "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" (with backup vocals by Captain Smartypants).

Old, familiar carols and newer works share the bill, as they usually do in these holiday concerts, and of course there's an audience sing-along, with the words handily printed in the program.

Why does all of this work so well? Because the chorus is so expertly trained and so musically responsive; because the show is full of everything we feel at the holidays — the giddy joy, the wistful nostalgia, the belief in miracles, the ancient stories and songs. And the cringing at the obtuse relatives and general frazzlement that always seem to be a part of holiday gatherings. Coleman and his singers know how to make you laugh and how to make you cry, and don't be surprised if both happen at once.

And a postscript from the distaff side: Coleman's new and fast-growing Seattle Women's Chorus is presenting two performances of its own holiday show, "Snow Dreams," at 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 20 in Meany Theater. For tickets to all of the above, visit www.seattlemenschorus.com or call 206-323-2992.

A little night visit

Tired of the mall? Visit "Amahl." The Seattle Symphony's annual production of the Menotti classic children's opera, "Amahl and the Night Visitors," opens today with three shows — 2, 4 and 7 p.m. — in the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall.

More performances stack up through the weekend, including four shows both tomorrow and Sunday (11 a.m. and 2, 4 and 7 p.m. each day), and a final performance at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

You'll find tickets at 206-215-4747 or online at www.seattlesymphony.org.

Two Amahls, Brent Gallo and David Ferris, alternate in the title role, with Jenny Knapp and Eve Gigliotti as the Mother. Jesse Parce is the Page.

Directing the show is baritone Erich Parce, who also sings one of the kings (he's Melchior; Laird Thorton is Balthazar and James Ring-Howell is Kaspar). Parce is one of a small handful of Northwest treasures: singers who have sung, in big houses around the world but have chosen to focus most of their efforts here in Seattle.

Parce's years of stage experience have paid off in previous "Amahl and the Night Visitors" productions here, striking the right blend between broad humor and pathos in the one-act mini-opera about a young boy and his mother who are visited by the Wise Men on their way to Bethlehem. Last year's incarnation of "Amahl" was a moving, accomplished production that had children cheering and adults groping for their hankies.

"I made the decision three years ago to make my singing career secondary, and to go on for a master's degree in opera directing at the University of Washington," Parce says. He graduated last June. "Now I want to go back in my career and be nicer to all the stage directors!" he quips.

The time off from singing has had another benefit: "My voice (a lyric baritone) is better than it ever has been. The time off was good for me."

Now he's operating a private vocal studio and teaching the UW's Opera Workshop; next spring, Parce directs "The Magic Flute." He has made a few changes in "Amahl," handpicking 14 choristers and integrating elements from past productions.

"We have a great cast — the boys (Gallo and Ferris as Amahl) are fabulous," Parce says, "and the mothers (Knapp and Gigliotti) are really good, too."

"Amahl" is part of a busy holiday schedule for the symphony, which also opens its best-selling holiday pops production, "A Yuletide Celebration," at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (followed by performances each day through Dec. 14, except for Monday, Dec. 8, when there is no show).

Last year's five performances of "Yuletide Celebration" were so popular that they've expanded it to 13 shows this year (it's a co-production with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra).

There's dance as well as music, with choreographer Tim Hickey (whose group from Kirkland Dance Center is performing). You'll hear orchestral and vocal performances of favorite carols and such classics as " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas." Guest conductor Orcenith Smith conducts; for tickets, call 206-215-4747.

Melinda Bargreen: mbargreen@seattletimes.com

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