Marshalled by master of ceremonies, the familiar Pierre Lemaire, the Father’s Day event was as thrilling as it was on the first occasion it was mounted to entertain and fund-raise in 2005. Hosts, Soroptomist International Jamaica (Kingston) did not disappoint with its curated programme that featured voice, instruments, and dance.

Mezzo soprano Christine MacDonald-Nevers opened the show with pieces from Carl Bohn (Still wie die Nacht, Op 326, No 27) and Abendempfindung, K 523), which she made light work of after offering the audience translations and setting the stage and scene. Her interpretation brought life to the score, and Allison Wallace was strong support on piano. Flautist Laurice Barnaby followed with Syrinx by French composer Claude Debussy.

The audience was then introduced to 16-year-old Dylan Madden, who stunned with Frederic Chopin’s Fantasie-Impromptu, Op 66. By sound, the piece seemed technically demanding, but it was effortlessly presented by Madden. Fingering light and airy, interpretation playful; future bright. No doubt this name will be making a reprise on this Classics in June stage. Shawn Richards, who impressed in 2024 with his students, this year topped his delivery alone with Adelita Lagrima (Francisco Tarrega), Spanish Romance (anonymous), and later Leo Brouwer’s Un dia en noviembre.

The romance would carry to the end of part one with Gabriel Walters (violin) and Stephen Shaw-Naar (piano) building the intensity with a Richard Wagner piece, arranged by August Wilhelmj and titled Romance, then 2 Morceaux de Salon Op 6. The two were a lesson in balanced mastery as the instruments danced. The second half had a hard act to follow, but the feast was not done. Shaw-Naar took on Chopin’s Ballade No 4 in F minor, Op 52, which had patrons at the edge of their seats waiting to applaud. This was followed by a tyro to the Classics in June stage. Cuban soprano Indira Perez was able to captivate the audience with arguably the most familiar piece on the programme. (Jamaica Observer/ Garfield Robinson)