Independent Music Concert Reveiw
The Other Wise Man
A Chamber Opera by M. Ryan Taylor
Live at the Salt Lake City Recital Hall
Salt Lake City, UT
December 16, 2006

M. Ryan Taylor is a top notch composer and vocalist. He also happens to be a friend of mine. I recently interviewed him for Meridian Magazine, and we talked about this opera. In preparation for the interview, he had sent me a perusal copy of the score. Looking it over then, I knew it would be something special. Seeing and hearing it live, though, took it to a completely new level.

Listed as a chamber opera, "The Other Wise Man" is based on Henry Van Dyke's classic Christmas tale of the same name. The setting was small an intimate. Only a few pieces were used as set dressing, but this presentation didn't need it. I was transported into the story within just a few bars of music. I kept thinking to myself, "This deserves a larger production." I'm feeling torn on that assessment, though. Not that it doesn't deserve a larger stage and more elaborate sets and orchestration, it's just that the intimacy of the small stage, and the nearness of the performers, made a much greater impact on me than any large stage could. As a simple example of the power of these performers, when the Roman Captain, performed by baritone Gary Sorenson, is calling out to his fellow soldiers as they go from house to house looking for Hebrew children to kill, I actually looked back into the audience to see who he was talking to. Of course there was no one there but the audience, and on a certain level I knew that, but I still couldn't help but turn my head to look.

Before I go too much farther into the review, let me tell you that I'm not a huge fan of opera. There are certain operas that I love, to be sure, but they aren't the typical ones you might think.

The character of Artaban, masterfully played by tenor Brian Maternach, opens singing "Soon stars will shine" and giving us the setting (Its opening motives still linger in my memory). He is soon joined by the rest of the cast as members of the magi, who praise God in a haunting chant-like offering.

As the story unfolds, the two main characters, Artaban and Vasda, performed by the lovely and talented soprano, Venica Wilson, take their same roles from scene to scene, while the other performer, acclaimed alto Lynnette Owens, soprano Janilyn Anderson, baritone Gary Sorenson, and, of course, baritone / composer M. Ryan Taylor, play different characters as the story progresses. Each of the characters has a specific theme associated with them, though, filling similar roles in Artaban's story arch.

I was most impressed by the depth of spiritual feeling in the music and depth of serious doctrinal message in the text. Truths, wisdom, and the basic doctrines of love, service, and sacrifice flow freely from each scene, clothed in the simple beauty of the story. Taylor doesn't beat you over the head with them, but he doesn't try to hide them, either. It is a very brave treatment in a day of rampant secularism. My eyes were tearing up by the middle of the first act and I simply couldn't contain them during the powerful final act. If you are prepared to open your heart to the power of the music and message this group of renowned and talented performers presents, you too will be moved. As of this writing, there are four performances remaining. If you live in the northern half of Utah, and are looking for an event that you can take your family to that will remind of the true spirit and meaning behind Christmas, you would do well to attend one of them. Maybe I'll see you there. You see, if I can swing it, I'll be going again this weekend.

You can visit Vocal Works for showtimes and tickets.