Perhaps the evening's purpose was music, but it seemed more about that delicious and animal desire people have to congregate. There's an all-female Norwegian version, and Swedish versions, too. Director Knudsen proclaimed to the audience, who laughed politely. As the body ages, testosterone diminishes and a sweet quality in formerly gruff, type-A guys emerges and prevails. These singing men were positively sweet.
Sweetness is necessary, in part, to sustain community.
But not too cloying. The room contained that warm ambience of community that is certainly momentary and thus causes a sensation of lack. After each chorus number, among the onstage singers there was a great wiping of foreheads and eyes with handkerchiefs. Before she began, all 60 chorus men hunkered down on the bleachers as cheerfully as if they were waiting for lunch. In the rear of the crowded auditorium, a little boy made continuous farting noises.