By Robin McKee Williams
I Cantori di Carmel, under the direction of Dr. Sal Ferrantelli, presented an evening concert of choral music with orchestra and soloists at the Carmel Mission Basilica on Sunday, December 6th. The program began with a 16th century French Carol, which established the joy of the holiday season, and ended with Mozart’s delightful Missa Brevis in F Major. The marvelous ambiance and acoustics of the Carmel Mission enhanced the program, which ran the gamut from 16th century composer Heinrich Schutz to one of Ferrantelli’s recent compositions, and the program moved easily from one century to the next. The fine singers of I Cantori demonstrated many times during the evening their mastery of phrasing, language, diction and melodic line. The contrasting centuries with their unique developments of harmony, phrasing, and text added variety and interest throughout the program. Ferrantelli’s direction maintained a high level of intensity throughout the program.
