Photo by Mary Comiskey, The Northfield News The United Church was full to capacity as a large group turned out to hear Arioso perform classical music. The popularity of classical music was "reaffirmed when the United Church of Northfield was filled to capacity. Jeanne Cook welcomed the audience and introduced the program. Mrs. Cook is retiring as Chairperson for the Paine Arts Council, expressed a personal thank you for all of the support given by many volunteers over the past five years. Her leadership will be greatly missed.

Arioso is a group of seven musicians who have recently begun performing together. This is their second performance. Their debut was at St. Paul's Cathedral in Burlington on May 8th. The members of Arioso are Raymond Karl Malone and Benjamin Muller playing the violin, Elizabeth Reid, viola, Robert Blais, cello, Alison Cerutti, piano, Marjorie Drysdale, soprano, and Linda Radtke, alto.

Their program featured Pergolesi's Stabat Mater and a new composition, Handfuls of Love, based on Shaker music written by Gwyneth Walker. Ms. Walker received the Year 2000"Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Vermont Arts Council as well as the 2008 "Athenaeum Award for Achievement in the Arts and Humanities" from the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum.

She was at the performance and was invited to speak briefly about her work.

Following a short intermission they performed works by Bach, Brahms, and Schubert. Marjorie Drysdale sang Mignon II by Franz Schubert. Erbame Dich from the St, Matthew Passion was sung by alto Linda Radtke. The Piano Trio in C Minor, Opus 87 was played by Alison Cerutti with support by violinist Raymond Malone and cellist Robert Blais.

This group of Vermont teachers and performers was a delight to hear.

Music lovers will look forward to other performances by this group. The concert was sponsored by The Paine Mountin Arts Council and in part by grants from Vermont Violins and an anonymous donor.