DAI’s ‘The Roman World’ a splendid example of ancient life

By Burt Saidel

Rome of the ancients. The image is gladiators, beasts devouring Christians, wild orgies, magnificent architecture and invincible legions.  All of these are the very fabric of the Roman Republic and the first centuries of the Roman Empire.  

What is often ignored is the everyday life of the teeming population of what was the Western world’s greatest city of that day.  The Dayton Art Institute has not ignored that part of history with their present exhibition, The Roman World – Religion and Everyday Life. The period is brought into lively and exciting perspective within the museum walls.

Dr. Sally Struthers of Sinclair College was invited to reveal this piece of fascinating history.  As guest curator, she toured many museums and even delved into the hidden treasures stored in the Art Institute’s basement to find splendid examples of what exemplified everyday life and the religions of the Romans.

What is interesting is the unique historical perspective of the major artifacts of the exhibition. Many of these pieces came from the far-flung outposts of Rome. The prime examples are magnificent natural mosaics from a synagogue discovered in Tunisia in the 19th century.  

The synagogue dates from the 5th Century A.D. Rome, by that time was destroyed by barbarian invasions, internal corruption and disease. The provinces were as Roman as Rome itself was in its grandest days.

The mosaics recovered from the synagogue are joined by other examples of art from earlier times. The permanence of the works, natural stones set in a grouting of equal permanence, makes a visit to the museum an experience shared with the creators. These works are timeless and, unless destroyed by vandalism, eternal.

Over 50 years ago, during a year spent in Southeastern Turkey, I was able to visit many of these mosaic floors and wall decorations. Some were unguarded and had to be swept to be seen. Visiting the works displayed so well at the Art Institute, I found them as exciting as those in their original locations.  

The mosaics are joined by statuary, jewelry, utensils and even original items of clothing from Coptic Egypt.  Dr. Struthers has an eye for history and for intrinsic beauty.  Many of the objects are unique. Others, such as copies of Greek statues and a magnificent 2nd Century limestone sarcophagus, represent everyday life in a majestic manner.

Dr. Struthers felt that visitors to the exhibition would want to experience Roman architecture. Since she was unable to bring the Coliseum to Dayton, she went to Rome with her camera and her artist’s eye.  The final hallway is a collection of her photographs which can only be described as magnificent.  

The exhibit continues until January 6. All that is missing is a neighborhood trattoria to sample the cuisine the Romans left for their heirs, the Italians and then to the entire food-loving world.  

DTC’s I Ought to Be in Pictures

I am asked by my readers if I ever pan anything in my reviews. Careful readers will remember a few such articles.  What makes them so positive is the quality of the arts available in this incredible cauldron of cultural creativity.  

Regional theater, abounding in our area, is a prime example.  I just described two works at WSU and Pippin at Dayton Playhouse in glowing terms.  Dayton Theatre Guild, always a source of theater magic, mounted a Neil Simon play, I Ought to be in Pictures.  

Simon’s work seems to be everywhere.  This play has fallen through the cracks and was given life by a superb cast directed by Fran Pesch.  Fran had an insurance policy to guarantee a hit play– she invited her daughter Annie to come home from her budding career in New York to be one of the trio of characters.  

The play is a slice of life.  It concerns the family dynamics of a failing Hollywood writer, his daughter who has been estranged from him since he abandoned her 16 years before at age three, and his long suffering mistress.  

Played on the usual fascinating Theatre Guild set by Greg Smith, the plot is held together by clever dialogue and incredible delivery by the actors.  Director Fran’s “insurance policy” extended to Saul Caplan as the writer and Debra Kent as his mistress.  

All three veteran actors are full of teeming talent and a passion for creating the perfect role.  My review is simple – they did it!  Difficult dialects, the pitfalls of comedy, the expressions between the lines were all handled skillfully and expertly.

Those who are waiting for a negative review will have to wait a while.

Dayton Foundation meeting features film, dance and song

I’ve never reviewed a community meeting before.  I probably never will again.  I am compelled to share the joy of the Dayton Foundation’s biennial meeting held November 15th at the Schuster.

The zest that this charitable foundation brings to every aspect of their far-reaching activities was never more evident. Instead of speeches, there was a celebration of the collective philantrophy of our region.  

The entertainment was an example of the Foundation’s importance and effect. Major arts recipients such as Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and Rhythm in Shoes were joined by UD’s Ebony Heritage Singers and the Dayton Jazz Ensemble. A showing of filmmakers John Bognar and John Mays fascinating documentary revealed the history of the emergence of our Oregon district from a hopeless slum into an interesting intra-city suburb.

All the while, the Dayton Visual Arts Center displayed a myriad of works in the Wintergarden.  The 600 attendees had a wonderful time and an equally wonderful revelation that we have everything here, the arts and the means of supporting them.
Congratulations to the Dayton Foundation. Congratulations to us!

Gem City Sweet Adelines to perform Dec. 1

The Gem City Sweet Adelines Chorus will share the sounds of the season at its holiday show on Sat., Dec. 1, at the Masonic Temple Auditorium, 525 W. River View Avenue, Dayton. Entitled “Holiday Harmony,” the show will feature the following: five-time International Championship Gem City Sweet Adelines Chorus; the “Bells of Southminster” (Southminster Presbyterian Church bell choir); select Gem City quartets; and featured guests, “Bustin’ Loose,” a men’s comedy quartet that is guaranteed to bring equal parts laughter and song to the evening.

The show will blend songs from a variety of genres, including Broadway and gospel tunes, performed in the barbershop style. The Chorus will also deliver traditional Christmas and Hanukah pieces with their trademark choreography and beautiful costumes. An audience sing-along and a 50/50 raffle will add to the fun.

There will be two performances: a matinee at 2 p.m. and an evening performance at 7 p.m. Ticket prices for adult general seating are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Senior/student general seating is $10 in advance, and $12 at the door. For reserved seating, the cost is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Parking at the Masonic Auditorium is secure and handicapped accessible. For further show information, please call the chorus at 937/433-1014.

This is the Gem City Chorus’ second show of the year. In June, the chorus held a “teen idol” contest as part of their performance, which was held at Northmont High School. Some of the teenage contestants will join the chorus on a couple of songs on the December 1st show.

Celebrating its 37th anniversary, the Gem City Chorus has become synonymous with excellence in four-part barbershop-style singing. To date, it is the most successful in Sweet Adelines, with a record five gold (first place) and five silver (second place) International medals. Sweet Adelines International, a non-profit musical education association for women, was founded in 1945 and has 29,000-plus members around the world. Love to sing? Call the chorus at 937/433-1014 to find out how you, too, can join the fun!

Caio Pagano guest pianist for Soirees Musicales
Dec. 1

Soirees Musicales International Piano Series will present pianist Caio Pagano on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 8 pm. In Shiloh Church, N. Main Street at Philadelphia Dr. He has appeared with this piano series several times.

Pagano, professor of piano at Arizona State University, has performed throughout four continents in more than 800 public performances. He combines a profound
knowledge of the arts, literature and music, which characterizes his interpretations as authoritative and unique.

His program will include the Bach-Siloti Organ Prelude in G minor, Schumann’s Kinderscenen, Franck’s Prelude Choral and Fugue and the Brahms Sonata Opus 5.
Tickets may be purchased the evening of performance or by reservation, 228-5802.

Philharmonic Youth Orchestra to perform Dec. 2

The Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra will be playing its first concert of the season on Sunday, Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. The concert will be held at the Schuster Center in Dayton.  The orchestra, led by Dr. Patrick Reynolds, assistant conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, will perform von Suppe’s Poet and Peasant Overture, Sibelius’ Finlandia and Hanson’s Symphony No. 2 “Romantic”

The DPYO, which is celebrating its 70th Anniversary this year, is comprised of nearly 100 of the finest high-school musicians from over 25 high schools in the Miami Valley. Oakwood students participating are: Matt Davis, string bass, Clara Hofeldt, violin, and Alexandra Miller, harp.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 or call the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra office at (937) 224-3521, X-136.  Doors open one hour before the concert.

Additional information about the orchestra and the concert can be found at dpyo.org, the web site of the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s Parents Association.

Opera Guild gala looking for Bond Girls

Opera Guild of Dayton will hold one of its largest annual fundraisers, Opera Gala 2008, on Saturday, March 15, 2008. The theme for the festivities will celebrate the quintessential popularity of the captivating spy James Bond.  Who can forget Goldfinger, The Spy Who Loved Me, The Man with the Golden Gun, Thunderball, Dr. No, Diamonds Are Forever, Casino Royale and the rest? Never far away from this charismatic hero are his beautiful Bond Girls. The sensational Dayton Country Club will provide the glamorous setting for James and his friends to mix and mingle while intriguing surprises unfold throughout the evening.

Opera Guild of Dayton is seeking look-alikes for Miss Moneypenny, Mary Goodnight, Octopussy, Jinx, Natalya Simonova, Domino Derval, Pussy Galore and the others to help create the ambiance for the occasion.  Bond Girls will circulate among the guests to sell raffle tickets for fabulous prizes donated by the generous merchants of the greater Dayton area.  Costumes, a light supper and a stipend will be provided to applicants chosen to assist Opera Guild of Dayton at the party. Bond Girls must be at least 18 years old to qualify.

Please submit a resume and photo by email to http://www.operaguildofdayton.org. Or mail your resume and photo to: Opera Guild of Dayton, P.O. Box 661, Dayton, Ohio 45409-0661. The submission deadline is December 10, 2007.

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November 27, 2007
Volume 16, No. 48

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