Young Vocalist Shows Off His Pipes

By Brodie MacRAE

At just 21 years of age, basso cantante Robert Pomakov is, simply put, phenomenal.

Since beginning his profes- sional career four years ago, Canadian- born Robert Pomakov has made quite a name for himself both in Canada and abroad. Robert has performed on stage with world renowned Russian Baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky and has sung with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thompson Hall for the Millennium Opera Gala. He was a prizewinner in both Placido Domingo's Operalia competition and the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Belgium and will be appearing in 5 operas this sea- son, having just finished Stravinsky's Oedipus Rex in Toronto. He's currently finishing his Master's Degree at the Curtis institute in Philadelphia. Yes, he's only 21.

On the sixteenth of October, I had the pleasure of attending his recital in the beautiful Convocation Hall in Sackville, NB. This concert was presented by Debut Atlantic, an organization that presents both promis- ing and established musicians to Atlantic Canada, organizes 5 tours a year and has launched the careers of Canadian musicians such as Ben Heppner, Angela Hewitt and Richard Margison. This concert was also a part of the Mount Allison Performing Arts Series, which presents many fine artis- tic performances and will be hosting the L'Atelier lyrique de L'Opéra de Montréal and Ensemble les Voix

Showing at City Cinema this week The Good Girl

and One Hour Photo

Times and Descriptions at www.citycinema.net 368-3669

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Baroques later this season.

Mr. Pomakov, accompanied by renowned Torontoian pianist Brahm Goldhamer, presented a concert of mature and challenging repertoire which he tackled with the ease of a performer twice his age. Included in the concert were a set of Duparc melodies, some Faure, two sets of Schubert Leider, Beethoven's An die _ Ferne Geliebte Op. 98 and a set of new songs entitled Insomnia Songs by Alasdair MacLean, the Debut Atlantic Composer in Residence. His second programme is just as impressive, pre- senting both Vaughan Williams Songs of Travel and Schumann's Dichterliebe Op. 48. His is a voice of extraordinary warmth and richness, remarkably mature for his age. Hearing him sing was like being swept away in a power- ful wave of sound. Scott Robinson remarks, "I've never before heard a singer I would describe as loud." He has an engaging and commanding stage presence, his diction is clear as a bell and he sings with same amount of emotion and musicality as the best singers in the world. His voice was clearly tiring by the end of the recital, however, as his lowest notes became increasingly weaker.

As he was singing them, I said to myself that he was doing them better

than Bryn Terfel, one of the world's foremost Bass-baritones.

Of all of his pieces, I found his Schuberts to be particularly enjoyable. He sang those with the most ease, fun and familiarity. As he was singing them, I said to myself that he was doing them better than Bryn Terfel, one of the world's foremost Bass-bari- tones. Of course, having already worked with some of the best conduc- tors and singers in the country and playing major operatic roles here and abroad, it is only a matter of time before he is next Bryn Terfel.

Stark Raving Sane: On Crushes |

By Catherine SWEET

As most of my friends know, I used to have a perfectly healthy crush on a member of the student body here at UPEI. I never talked to him, I never met him, and doubt we'd even made eye contact. The funny thing is, I did- n't think I wanted to meet him. If I met him, he might not have been the perfect guy. I'm sure everyone can understand this strange Catch-22.

In junior high school, I might have gotten obsessed and followed this guy around the school. In high school, | might have made the mis- take of actually trying to

meet him. |

Why is it that a crush is seen as juvenile? Growing up, we get our first crushes, but what's to say they should ever stop? I think it's our inherited human ability to appreciate _ aesthetics. Some people don't appreci- ate the beauty in nature or art, but you'd be hard pressed to find someone who had never had a crush over the span of their lifetime. Chances are, each and every one of us has a crush on somebody right now, but I'm silly enough to talk about it.

I've been teased for my crush- es, but I don't care. They make me happy. I think I've finally mastered the

art of having a crush. In junior high school, I might have gotten obsessed and followed this guy around the school. In high school, I might have made the mistake of actually trying to meet him. Now, I'm happy with a glimpse here and there- passing him in the library or seeing him enter a class- room next to mine. The trick is to gain contentment from those brushes.

What I like about crushes is the individuality of them. What one woman finds handsome, another can see as vile. It's great that some of my friends don't think my crush is their — cup of tea, because then we can talk about it and I can try to impress upon them see the subtle qualities that make him unique. Personally, I didn't think my crush was hot (I hate that term- it!s so carnal). I think he had quality craftsmanship.

I encourage you to cultivate your crush. After some careful delib- eration, I've chosen my new crush. Maybe you know your crush and you can have conversations with him or her, or maybe not, but either way it can't hurt if it is done properly. Me, I don't know him at all beyond what his name is. An adult crush is a little con- fidence booster, as long as there are no expectations attached. I loved having my crush, but I didn't love my crush- once that's understood, it's all gravy.

who specializes in investing.

in the fun.

“Crazy Fun with the Economics Society”

The Economics Society is getting on the way and already had a bowling-social at the Basilica-Rec-Centre. Many more events are planned for the future. Some of these events include an adventure games night at The Wave, on Friday, November 15th, and a guest speaker

Given this is our first year as a Campus Society, we really want it to be a success. Everyone who is taking Economics is welcome to join

. Anyone who is seeking information, or is interested in joining, should talk to Daran Gilbert, Paula Lajeunesse, or Jerome Michelin, or stop by the Economics wing in Main Building.