By Lyn Bronson
Although stormy weather was predicted for January 14, the good Lord provided us with a balmy rainless evening (until after the event mercifully) as the Carmel Music Society presented the third event in its 1997-98 season. Actually the Sturm und Drang occurred inside Sunset Center as we heard on this occasion Canadian tenor Ben Heppner in recital at Sunset Center in Carmel. The pianist assisting him for the event was Craig Rutenberg. As it turned out, January 14 happened to be Mr. Heppner’s birthday, and accordingly the President of the Carmel Music Society, Keith Anderson, invited the audience to a birthday reception for Mr. Heppner in Carpenter Hall following the concert.
Heppner has a mighty voice that can either storm the heavens or project subtle pianissimos that tickle the spine. This is not to imply that there is nothing in between, for quite the opposite is true. Heppner constantly displayed an extraordinary range of dynamics and expression. His diction is so magnificent that when he spoke to the audience, even those of us in the rear of hall heard him with absolute clarity-in spite of the much-maligned Sunset Center acoustics.
