Unplugged View
By Aaron Rowan
Metro-Grade Amnesia
When Christine Capsuto starts to sing, you’re liable to forget about anything else happening around you.
I first heard this stunning soprano when I first attended the superior local concert series, Sunday Afternoons At CBS, and I walked away understanding just how Odysseus must have felt while tied to the mast of his ship. Christine and her fellow singer took us on a glorious vocal tour around the world that day. (What do you call someone who belts out opera songs in English, Italian, German and Czech? A polyglottis!) Christine has performed with theater and opera companies all over the Bay Area and across the country, playing leading ladies in Chicago, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Marriage Of Figaro and more. She’s appeared on multiple occasions with our local Townsend Opera, who are bringing her back this month to kick off their Cabaret recital series. Friday 11/18, you can find her at Urbano Bistro, 1016 H St. It’s sure to be a merry and mesmerizing exposé of classic arias, duets, and much more with Christine and accompanist Elizabeth Neff on piano. Music starts at 7:30; $25 general/$40 reserved seats. Call the Townsend box office at 209-388-2100.
Music At The GMC is also offering up some vivacious voices this month. Our concert series at the Gottschalk Music Center recital hall (1502 E St.), co-sponsored by Modesto View, will welcome folk/jazz/lounge duo The Singer And The Songwriter on Saturday 11/12. Vocalist Rachel Garcia’s rich and nuanced style draws inspiration from everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Fiona Apple. Guitarist & songwriter Thu Tran merges traditional styles with modern pop sensibilities, influenced by the Bossa Nova sounds of Antonio Carlos Jobim, the swinging jazz guitar of Django Reinhardt, and more. The duo’s critically acclaimed debut album premiered at #34 on the CMJ Jazz Top 40 Charts. Also appearing that evening is my dear friend Xanthe Alexis, visiting from the mountains of Colorado. Xanthe is a sweet indie-folk songwriter and an award-winning arts educator. With her soaring vocals, she weaves an unforgettable tapestry of sounds conjuring late nights by the fire and still mornings when the day is brand new. Seating is limited to about 40 at these intimate listening concerts, so be sure to RSVP at 209-543-5306 or modestounplugged@yahoo.com<mailto:modestounplugged@yahoo.com> to grab yours. Doors at 7, concert at 7:30, general admission $15 / free for kids under 12.
