Audience Buzz
March 2012 – Sacred Music Festival
”I always love the enthusiasm of the group and conductor! Great job with solos.”
”The prism format for a sacred concert was indeed a very enjoyable experience. Thanks so very much for encouraging good music for the community musicians as well as for our culture.”
“Thanks to you all! Your musical programs are ambitious and well done.”
“Excellent! Raffaele Ponti is a superb conductor. As I watch and listen, the sound gives me the chills!"
“Loved this concert – like chamber music in my living room – great variety – loved the instrumentals.”
March 2009 – Gounod, Petite Symphonie and
St. Cecilia’s Mass
"To the Maestro: I have been to many of your performances with chorus and orchestra and this one kept, and in some ways, exceeded all expectations. You ALWAYS manage to create such beauty and to thrill audiences with your great passion for whatever music is on the program. Your conducting was absolutely grand and poetic – precise, filled with understanding and full command of the score, showing great efforts to express the soul of the composer in so many ways. You mesmerized me quite often and the chorus’s response in exact proportion to your direction expressed a superb unity between you and the singers. And talking to some of them afterwards certainly confirmed their admiration for and appreciation of you. How gifted you are!"
"I will never forget the musical experience of listening to the Kyrie which opened Gounod's St. Cecilia's Mass performed by GVOC on Sunday, March 15th. What followed was equally gorgeous and at times the chorus sounded like one voice! I can't believe this group consists of volunteers. The Petite Symphonie was absolutely delightful! Kudos to everyone involved and special thanks to Raffaele Ponti for his musicianship leading GVOC and his tasteful and informative comments to the audience before the concerts begin."
December 2008 – Handel’s Messiah
"To experience this season's GVOC presentation of the Messiah was special and at times breathtaking. My first Messiah dates back more than 40 years ago in NYC and I have attended many performances since. Maestro Ponti renewed and deepened my appreciation for this incredibly beautiful piece of music. Congratulations to the Maestro, Orchestra, Chorus and soloists. PS - The Part II Chorus "Surely He hath borne our griefs" launched us out of the choir loft into the heavens!"
"Your concert was magnificent!!!! Thank you all so much. The chorus was great, as were the soloists and the orchestra. You did a superb job of keeping it all together."
May 2008 – Mozart and Hanson
"I just loved your concert yesterday, you sounded great! Please let me know when you have another concert - I would love to come again. Oh, and the conductor -- LOVED HIM!!!"
December 2007 – Christmas with the Masters
"Thank you for the beautiful concert of sacred Christmas music tonight. My heart and spirit soared to the heavens as I listened to the chorus and musicians perform."
October 2007 – Classics and World Premieres
"Just a note to tell you how much I enjoyed last night’s GVOC concert , especially the two Borenstein pieces... What a treat for us in little old Fairport to hear such a world premiere. Thank you for your educational work with our community."
May 2007 – Cherubini: Music of Angels
"The performance was so good and great for Mother’s Day – and the conductor was superb with a capital S! What a lovely experience!"
December 2005 – Handel’s Messiah
"Just wanted to let you know we really enjoyed the concert Saturday. What a great job! Thanks for bringing back the Messiah."
