Fes Festival 2007 Opening Night

I was fortunate enough to attend the opening of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music last night at Bab Makina. The night sky was clear and the breeze was mild creating a perfect venue for some opera under the stars.
They even had the red carpet laid out and we entered along a double row of imperial guards in gold capes and white turbans, all holding curved scimitars.


Although Barbara Hendricks was the star performer, the buzz was about HRH Princess Lalla Salma who was accompanied by HRM Queen Ghania of Jordan, HRH Princess Lalla Myriam and Madame Bernadette Chirac. The royal guests sat in comfortable armchairs at a specially prepared table complete with white tablecloth and a floral arrangement. Although the king was not with them, he was present in spirit as evidenced by the portraits around the stage.


The performance consisted of 18th century compositions by Handel and Pergolesi. Barbara Hendricks and Paola Hoffman sang a Stabat Mater together; a 40 minute cantata for soprano and alto. Ms Hendricks finished the program with an encore performance of an American spiritual that was very well received. The nearly packed house gave them a standing ovation.
By Linda Hart.