The 60-strong GECC, under the able direction of nationally recognized musician and educator Emily Ellsworth. Accompanied on piano by William Bubs, "Abbondanza" is a spirited, joyous collection from the first tune, "How Can I Keep From Singing," a heartbreakingly beautiful a cappella "Amazing Grace" and Leonard Bernstein's "Simple Song" to Hatfield's exuberant "Las Amarillas," Favero's "Te Quiero," "I Love a Piano" and "Ae Fond Kiss." Interspersed are sacred songs like Haydn's "Laudate pueri Dominum," Puccini's lovely "O mio babbino caro" and Donizetti's "Che interminable andirivieni," the wonderful Servant's Chorus from Don Pasquale. An aptly titled CD by one of the best children's choruses we've heard. |