Anne Sofie von Otter is one smart lady.  Appearing in Herbst Theater
tonight with her "Home for Christmas" program, she never hesitated for
a second, identifying Bengan Janson and Jan Bengtson correctly.  Knowing
who's on first between the accordionist and flutist, respectively, must
present a challenge to others, but not to Otter.  She got a good chuckle
out of this, and so did we all - it was that kind of an evening.

The reversed-named musicians were joined by seven others, amplified and
stomping, marching onto the stage with Swedish folksongs, happy songs
of the season, seasonal happy songs ("Traditional" being the composer
de jour), and then the mezzo herself appeared, looking very much like
an attractive Christmas tree, with black boots without heels, singing
into a microphone, and often dancing full out or halfway.  It was the
latter in case of "Nur ein Wink," from Bach's "Christmas Oratorio," Otter
conducting herself, more than the band.  A good, if sensible, time was
had by her and the musicians.

My own response was somewhat muted as I was trying to wrap my head around
this curious decision: in the excellent recital hall without a decent
audio system (missing because it's not needed), why would a powerful
operatic mezzo hang onto a microphone for dear life?

On the plus side, here's something I'd never know without "Home for
Christmas" - uptempo Swedish folk music sounds half Irish and half
Hungarian.  "Klang min vackra Bjallra" is just a jig-csardas.  God bless
us, everyone.

Janos Gereben
www.sfcv.org
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