Unfortunately, the boy soloist who sang that high, keening lament just after Gandalf falls into the abyss of Khazad-Dum was really terrible. Solidly off-key, couldn't hold the note, barely even keeping correct time.

That's a shame. It's just on this side of fiendishly difficult, but if they couldn't find a kid who could do it, they should have had Sissel do it or something.

My friend in the chorus said he was better in rehearsals, which makes sense--he probably overtaxed his voice, especially since it is a difficult piece, and by the time the actual concerts rolled around, he just couldn't do it. He did better on the "In Dreams" solo, but still not great.

He might also have been terrified. I would have been.

Good point. I do feel bad for him.

Edward Ross' voice on "In Dreams" still makes me weep. I don't know if I could sit through it live and not embarrass myself. It actually makes me weepier than "Into the West," because, well.. It just does.

There were a number of women wearing Evenstar pendants, and a few women who were dressed in long, flowy, Arwen-style dresses. It was kind of nice to not be the geekiest one in the crowd, for a change!

Did you have an almost life-sized plush doll of Frodo sitting on your shoulders, to accesorized your cloak made out of a green flannel blanket? That took the geek prize at the Seattle performance.

Oh my.

Please tell me they took it off for the performance.

Also, either I wasn't paying attention, or Houston is just not geeky, because I didn't see any displays of geekery.

Beverly, I know exactly what you mean. He has such a gorgeous, plaintive voice.

I think I need to go home and listen to all three soundtracks in a row tonight.

Giggling at the plush Frodo doll, although personally, I think I'd prefer a plush Gandalf (who is, incidentally, the only action figure of any kind that I own).

Please tell me they took it off for the performance.

Er ... would you prefer to live in blissful ignorance?