Daniel Kamalic, the son of Rockport artist Ivan Kamalic, was eager to sing for his father, a lover of music as well as the fine arts. A party was planned last June to celebrate the end of his father's cancer treatments and his birthday last June. But his father died that week and the party planned for his birthday became a posthumous celebration of the artist's life in July. Daniel Kamalic knew he could never perform at the event, although it was an celebration filled with music and art, just the way his father wanted.
For the event's pianist, Beverly Soll, a Salem resident and visiting lecturer at Salem State University, the seed of an idea was sewn: She would coordinate a recital extolling New England songs of the sea using the senior Kamalic's paintings of the ocean as a centerpiece.
This song recital, presented by the Boston Singers' Resource, will feature about 20 paintings by Kamalic, known for his landscapes and unique color technique.
"I think this is a program that New Englanders will love," said Daniel Kamalic, a lyric-dramatic tenor. "I was supposed to sing at the birthday event so this is my chance to sing in memory of my father. Dad was a lover of music and he played the ukulele, and when I pursued music, he was so supportive."
The free Sunday afternoon event at the home of John Archer in Danvers features an afternoon of song, poetry and artworks, with Natalie Polito, soprano; Jacque Wilson, mezzo-soprano; Kamalic; and Soll on piano.
Daniel Kamalic is a mixture of talent encompassing the realms of the arts and sciences. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in math and computer science. While at MIT, he started studying with a teacher at the Boston Conservatory. After he graduated from MIT, he went on to study vocal performance and received a degree in classical voice at the New England Conservatory. He now works as manager of research computing for the College of Engineering at Boston University.
Soll, who holds a doctorate in music, is coordinator of this inaugural program of the Boston Singers' Resource Recital Series. She was inspired by the psalm "They that go down to the sea in ships," which is inscribed on the Gloucester Fisherman's Monument.
"The music for this program is eclectic but is woven together in such a way as to make a powerful artistic statement. It spans the 19th and 20th centuries, using the music of English and American composers and poets, many of whom are from Massachusetts or who have ties to New England," Soll said.
The songs range from a "hauling chanty" and lullabies, to stories of love and loss at sea. The poems explore the beauty and majesty of the sea and images of the "eternal sea" eloquently shown in poems by Dickinson, Whitman and many others, said Soll.
"We are very excited to be able to present the recital in John Archer's beautiful home in Danvers, a performance space often used by area chamber groups," Soll continued. "This setting removes many of the barriers of more traditional concert halls and invites the audience to have a more personal experience with the artists and the music."
Kamalic said the songs run the full spectrum in the recital, ranging from sad to dramatic to funny.
"The recital features a number of composers, some less well know and some undiscovered gems," he said. The program opens with a John Ireland song titled "Sea Fever."
"This is my first opportunity to really do something that is specially New England," he said. "The idea to use beautiful art of the region, and my dad's art, as an inspiration for a recital is a dream come true."
Gail McCarthy may be contacted at 978-283-7000 x3445 or gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com.
If you go
What and who: Songs of the Sea, a song recital, featuring an exhibition of work by Rockport artist Ivan Kamalic. Music to include songs and poems by British and American composers that explore such topics as sailors, the joys of the sea, the sea as destroyer, the eternal sea and the lure of the sea. This is the inaugural program of the Boston Singers' Resource Recital Series.
When: Sunday, Nov. 6, at 3 p.m.
Where: The home of John Archer, 10 North St. in Danvers.
How much: The event is free to the public but donations will be accepted. Reservations suggested.
Details: For more information, directions and reservations, email info@BostonSingersResource.org or call 978-352-5058.
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