For the 20th edition of Classics in June it was a veritable family occasion as faithfuls and a few newcomers converged on the University Chapel for a feast of the arts and fellowship.

Marshalled by master of ceremonies, the familiar Pierre Lemaire, the Father’s Day event was as thrilling as it was on the first occasion it was mounted to entertain and fund-raise in 2005.

Hosts, Soroptomist International Jamaica (Kingston) did not disappoint with its curated programme that featured voice, instruments, and dance.

Mezzo soprano Christine MacDonald-Nevers opened the show with pieces from Carl Bohn (Still wie die Nacht, Op 326, No 27) and Abendempfindung, K 523), which she made light work of after offering the audience translations and setting the stage and scene. Her interpretation brought life to the score, and Allison Wallace was strong support on piano.

Flautist Laurice Barnaby followed with Syrinx by French composer Claude Debussy.

The audience was then introduced to 16-year-old Dylan Madden, who stunned with Frederic Chopin’s Fantasie-Impromptu, Op 66. By sound, the piece seemed technically demanding, but it was effortlessly presented by Madden. Fingering light and airy, interpretation playful; future bright. No doubt this name will be making a reprise on this Classics in June stage.

Shawn Richards, who impressed in 2024 with his students, this year topped his delivery alone with Adelita Lagrima (Francisco Tarrega), Spanish Romance (anonymous), and later Leo Brouwer’s Un dia en noviembre.

The romance would carry to the end of part one with Gabriel Walters (violin) and Stephen Shaw-Naar (piano) building the intensity with a Richard Wagner piece, arranged by August Wilhelmj and titled Romance, then 2 Morceaux de Salon Op 6. The two were a lesson in balanced mastery as the instruments danced.

The second half had a hard act to follow, but the feast was not done.

Shaw-Naar took on Chopin’s Ballade No 4 in F minor, Op 52, which had patrons at the edge of their seats waiting to applaud.

This was followed by a tyro to the Classics in June stage. Cuban soprano Indira Perez was able to captivate the audience with arguably the most familiar piece on the programme. Her rendition of Franz Schubert’s Ave Maria filled the chapel. It was, at once, elegant and youthful. Lemaire shared with the audience that one reviewer, having heard Perez sing, noted: “When she sings the birds stop to listen.” Believable!

Loraine Barnaby returned to her ballet roots with a piece supported by Gabriel Walters on violin and props to boot.

MacDonald-Nevers and Wallace then returned with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Something Wonderful from The King and I. The words were crisp and the notes clear.

The final pair for the evening was violinist Steven Woodham and pianist Yanique Leiba-Ebanks. The two brought the house down with excerpts from the opera Porgy and Bess, transcribed by Jascha Heifetz for violin and piano. The set featured Summertime, A Woman is a Sometime Thing, and It Ain’t Necessarily So.

They closed with the multi-mood Romance, Op 23 by Amy Beach. A fitting end to a rich display of musical greats by musical greats.

Undoubtedly, the audience that experienced the talent at Classics in June could have benefited from greater numbers, but the applause and cheers lacked nothing in response to the superlative presentations for this the 20th edition. With the continued talent renewal, the countdown to 21 begins.

– MAT

Laurice Barnaby plays a piece written by Frederic Chopin on flute.Garfield Robinson

Young Dylan Madden thrills on piano Garfield Robinson

An appreciative audience responds with applause. Garfield Robinson

Shawn Richards deliver a guitar piece. Garfield Robinson

Gabriel Walters, on violin, closes out the first half of the show supported by Stephen Shaw-Naar on piano. Garfield Robinson

Stephen Shaw-Naar, a repeat performer at Classics in June (Photos: Garfield Robinson)

Newcomer soprano Indira Perez captivates the audience. Garfield Robinson

Loraine Barnaby presents her dance number ‘Reflections’ to accompaniment of Gabriel Walters on violin. Garfield Robinson

Christine MacDonald-Nevers opens the programme at Classics in June. Garfield Robinson