May 10: Grand Finale

It was the Carmina Burana last night

so the timpani player got a workout

at the Akron Symphony Orchestra

season-ending grand finale, providing 

thunder beneath neo-Gothic bombast

and a 100-voice choir alternating

between whispering and belting.

But the most remarkable moment

was when the coloratura soprano,

seated and silent for the first

40 minutes of the piece, rose

and, with such splendid tenderness,

placed one high note atop another,

seemingly without strain, but just

opening her mouth and letting

pure beauty emerge and encircle

each concert-goer in thrall,

hearts full, tearful, thankful

for such breathtaking, 

soulshaking artistry.

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