“Saturated,” is how Timothy G. Ruff Welch describes himself two days after having directed the 48-member Zapopan Municipal Choir, bolstered by 42 additional voices, in a high-profile concert December 2.
The 90-minute “Requiem” by 19th century opera composer Giuseppe Verdi featured the choir and the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Spanish tenor, director and mega-star Plácido Domingo in the auditorium named after him, Sala Plácido Domingo, in the Conjunto de Artes Escénicas.
Welch, who moved from Chicago to Mexico in 1999, became a Mexican citizen, is fluent in Spanish and currently resides at Lakeside, explained that he has had the good fortune to perform with many famous people but nevertheless considers the concert with Plácido Domingo a highlight of his career.
As for the Coro Municipal de Zapopan, Welch says, “they are young and haven’t been able to work all over the world,” so it was “special watching the reaction in their eyes” to performing under such a revered artist as Domingo.
“They worked hard to sing under his direction. He was shocked at how well prepared they were. It’s unusual here. At the dress rehearsal, he went back to chat with the choir and insisted on talking to every one of them and letting them take a photo. He treated them like gold.
“Plus it was their first time at the Conjunto and that was a world-class treat. It’s very professionally run. To work that hard, to receive such royal treatment, it was overwhelming. It brought many of them to tears.”
Welch’s experience with Plácido Domingo came in the midst of weeks of intense work. Welch is a renowned pianist and accompanist and is involved in two local concerts in December. In addition, he continues to direct a Chapala area group, Los Cantantes del Lago, which has two upcoming concerts.
Also, he and the Zapopan choir are now starting practice for a December 20 concert with Andrea Bocelli at Auditorio Telmex. What’s more, they had performed the opera “Turandot” four times at Guadalajara’s Teatro Degollado, the last time December 1.
“Usually, you wouldn’t sing for a couple days after such a performance, but many of the choir singers performed with Plácido Domingo the night after ’Turandot,’” he said, adding that he and the choir practiced every night in November.
Welch explained that, since he took the helm of the choir about three years ago, singers have gotten used to his demanding style of direction. “I don’t teach notes. I insist they learn all the notes outside rehearsal, so when we practice we can work on style and how to sing together as a choir. Now they know what I expect and they understand that discipline earns them a reward: freedom of artistic expression.
“They can compete with any chorus worldwide,” he emphasized.
Welch also commented about Jalisco’s incoming Secretary of Culture, Giovana Jasperson, an appointment of the new governor, Enrique Alfaro. “She’s only in her early thirties, but I think she’ll continue the tradition of demanding excellence.”