San Francisco Ca USA
Written By Sason Bishope Parry
San Francisco – On Tuesday, June 18, Davies Hall was the epicenter of joy, unity, and musical excellence as the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus took the stage in celebration of love, unity, and pride month for the highly anticipated “All We Need is Love” concert. The night, from start to finish, was a triumphant celebration of love, diversity, and the transformative and healing power of music.
From the moment we walked through Davies Hall reception areas to the opening bell and took our seats, we knew we were in for a wonderful and exciting evening. For over 30 years, the SFGMC has been a beacon of light and a voice of hope, love, and unity for the LGBTQIA+ community, spreading their uplifting message through song and harmony for many in need. Tuesday’s concert marked a high note in SFGMC’s 46th season titled “Season of Love” and was nothing short of magical.
Under the dynamic leadership of charismatic Artistic Director and Conductor Jacob Stensberg, more than 300 powerful, glorious, and beautiful voices sang in perfect pitch and harmony, accompanied by our beloved San Francisco Symphony. The evening kicked off with an exhilarating overture, setting a vibrant tone for the night, which included many exciting and impressive special guest numbers and solos.
The opening spectacle and the magnitude of seeing all the chorus members on stage left the audience buzzing with anticipation for what was to come. The evening opened with a tribute to the memory of Matthew Sheppard, brutally murdered in 1998, with David Conte’s heartwarming “Elegy for Matthew.” From there, we were taken on a journey through Ralph Vaughan William’s “Five Mystical Songs,” as Stensberg kindly asked the audience to hold their applause until the 5th number, which we obliged with some giving an early standing ovation.
The San Francisco Symphonies, brilliant music director Michael Tilson Thomas was also in the house that night. One mention of his name brought about a well-respected burst of cheers and applause just before SFGMC, and the symphony raised the vibration with a fantastic performance of his song “I’d Like to Learn.” This was followed up nicely with Beth Nielson Chapman’s “How We Love,” which reminds us that, in the end, all that matters is how we loved—such an inspiring message to hold on to.
Next was a powerful performance of composer Dominick Diorio’s “The Promise that Tomorrow Holds Today,” ending the first half as a masterclass in musical diversity that showcased the immense talent and versatility of both the incredible SFGMC and the symphony. The rush of joy and applause from the audience was contagious.
The second half elevated and raised the vibration of the night, the music and fans even higher with multiple highlight performances. One of the first came with a powerful song, “We Are Trees,” from Native American and two-spirit New York artist and composer Ty Defoe. Fans were also moved by a superb performance of “I, Too Sing America,” which brought together the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company and an adoption of Langston Hughes’s poem turned into a powerful song by the talented Othello Jefferson.
The night it was continued with an excellent rendition of superstar pop singer Sia’s hit, “Elastic Heart,” performed wonderfully by The HomoPhonics. One of my favourite moments of the second half was the beautiful “Comme d’habitude,” sung beautifully by the sharp-dressed Filipino American guest singer Enrico Lagasca, who also performed earlier in the evening and seemed to be a crowd favourite.
Stensberg spoke briefly about the song’s history: “This classic French song, which was a number one hit in France, and written originally by Jacques Revaux, and sung by Claude Francois in 1967, became the music and melody for Frank Sinatra’s classic, “My Way. It’s the same song, just different words.”
Once they started playing and Lagasca started to sing, I realized I had heard this song a thousand times. It was just rewritten as “My Way.” One thing is for sure: I will never listen to Frank’s version the same again haha.
Another night highlight came from the Lollipop Guild, which gave a standout performance of Calum Scott’s song “Biblical,” bringing fans to their feet.
The overall stage setting for the concert was a visual feast, and the chorus member’s attire and harmonies, along with the synchronization of the visual elements, were flawless, enhancing the overall experience and keeping the audience engaged throughout. The night ended with more uplifting songs, including Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” another highlight that captured the moment, and Carly Rae Jepsen’s pop hit “Cut to the Feeling.” The final notes echoed through Davies Hall, leaving a lasting impression of triumph and joy as we cheered the final moments.
“All We Need is Love” was more than just a concert; it was a jubilant celebration of love, unity, and the transformative power of music. The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and the SF Symphony delivered an evening that will be remembered by all in attendance. It was a night of pure magic, where music transcended barriers and brought everyone together in a shared experience of harmony and love. Here’s to many more such electrifying nights at Davies Hall! Happy Pride.
For more info on the SF Symphony go to: www.sfsymphony.org
