The Review

The Broad Street Review article was a review of The Crossing‘s second Month of Moderns 2018 concert, titled VOYAGES. Ms. Montalbano sang a solo in the world premiere of Benjamin C.S. Boyle’s Voyages (Cantata No. 2), which was commissioned for The Crossing.

Setting sail with the Crossing choir by Gail Obenreder
June 19, 2018

Alto Maren Montalbano’s fine singing was sometimes overcome by the choral and orchestral forces…

Ms. Montalbano’s solo was in the second movement, “Above the fresh ruffles of the surf,” which features extended techniques in the cellos and violas that mimic the sounds of seagulls. While the orchestration was full, the text itself dealt with not being able to be heard above the sound of the waves. Here is Hart Crane’s text:

Above the fresh ruffles of the surf
Bright striped urchins flay each other with sand.
Gaily digging and scattering.
And in answer to their treble interjections
The sun beats lightning on the waves,
The waves fold thunder on the sand;
And could they hear me I would tell them:

O brilliant kids, frisk with your dog,
Fondle your shells and sticks
but there is a line
You must not cross nor ever trust beyond it
Spry cordage of your bodies to caresses
Too lichen-faithful from too wide a breast.
The bottom of the sea is cruel.

– Hart Crane, Voyages