It was in December that I had the privilege of taking in a Melos production. To my delight, the organization was featuring another night of incredible music as part of their fundraising efforts. I found myself, once again, turning up in downtown Kingston, sitting in a pew at St. George’s Cathedral for the Melos & Guests Fundraising Recital & Tea. And once again, it was magical. 

Led by Artistic Director Holly Gwynne-Timothy, Melos Choir & Period Instruments are poised to provide their audience and patrons with an evening of Early East & West music, featuring special guests including Sadaf Amini, in addition to multiple auction items, sweet treats, teas and desserts. 

The air of Saturday evening was a much more relaxed and informal engagement compared to December’s production. Gwynne-Timothy greeted the crowd, and encouraged guests to move freely during the performance to take in the various fundraising items, as well as to indulge in the eats provided throughout the evening. She explained the evening’s program, turned and faced her ensemble. And a hush moved through the Cathedral. 

For those coming to know Melos, and for those who have yet to experience the majesty of their innate talent and ability, the Melos Choir & Period Instruments are a collective of singers and musicians who bring to life classical music from eras spanning centuries before us. Their diverse repertoire boasts pieces from across the globe; some instrumental, some engaging the choir. Gwynne-Timothy seamlessly sews the fabric of journey between each carefully selected piece, and we, the audience, are invited to join the group through merriment and mystery. 

And on this night, we begin with Eastern Light Meets Medieval West. 

Soprano Brenda Gluska rings out her first note, and the Cathedral walls respond in reverence. It’s “O virtus Sapientiae,” and we are transfixed. The choir joins her. Sadaf Amini’s Santur fills the room. Eileen Beaudette strikes her viola. We have begun. 

Through our first set, we are offered a Persian sacred chant, succeeded by a Sephardic Lullaby. Margaret Walker enchants us with a love song she strums on the Medieval Harp. Gwynne-Timothy moves us during a solo of her own. The room swells through each piece, and the audience replies with applause. 

During each brief intermission, Melos engages with its supporters. They descend from their posts, greeting their guests. Familiar laughter, shaking of hands. Swiftly moving through the crowd for their own cups of tea, thanking members for their presence on this cold February evening, and highlighting the various fundraising ticketed items up for auction. 

In the Melos production notes, the audience is encouraged to only offer applause after a set is complete. The sheer excitement of the crowd during the evening’s second set is poised for rule-breaking. Between each rendition, the audience provides rousing claps for Melos, which they gratefully accept. Set 2 introduces us to East & West. 

Throughout this portion of the performance, Melos ups the ante and serenades us through 15 chapters of melodic voyage. The pieces reach back and exhume the music of the 1500s, inviting and delighting us with the harpsichord, the cello, the recorder, the viola and the Baroque oboe. As the choir and the orchestra achieve a glorious euphony through renditions of Bach to traditional Persian performed in part by the Navaa Ensemble, we were also dazzled by the “Santur Solo;” a composition by tonight’s special guest, Sadaf Amini. The audience erupts in acclamation. 

As the evening winds to a close, John Farrow (president of Kingston’s Rotary Club) leads the final bids of tonight’s auction. The night has been a staggering success for Melos, and its support from the community it continues to captivate. 

Our final set is titled “On Harmony, Musical & Social,” so aptly named for a night of togetherness. Holly Gwynne-Timothy leads us through “If Love’s a Sweet Passion,” and concludes with “Pastime with Good Company,” composed by Henry VIII, King of England. It’s a fitting rendition, given all that Melos Choir & Period Instruments has provided a group of music enthusiasts on this evening. 

One can only suspect that another season has dawned for Melos, one that includes and encompasses the music of yesteryear, re-imagined and revealed through shining talent, and extraordinary artistic interpretation. 

Congratulations Melos Choir and Period Instruments on another terrific evening. Let’s raise a cup of tea for a fabulous season ahead.

Support the Melos Choir by visiting their website at https://www.melos-earlymusic.org/