Benson Boone Boston Concert reviews
Rockapella and Grand Rapids Symphony
I have seen Rockapella alone twice in the past. I have also seen Benson Boone previously. The two together was an interesting mix. They attempted to evenly distribute the performances between them. Rockapella performed alone and then the Symphony. Then they performed together for an equal amount of time.
For the most part, I enjoyed the combination of the two. It offered a unique experience. And variety in experiences is beneficial. :-) However, I believe the subtleties of a cappella groups like Rockapella may be lost within a grand symphony accompaniment. It feels more like a 5-member vocal group singing with a lot of instrumentation in the background.
A cappella demands a high level of skill, like that possessed by Rockapella. Unfortunately, this talent doesn't shine as brightly with such a large orchestra behind them.
Lastly, I appreciated the Symphony's performances of Beach Boys songs and selections from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Who could have imagined back in the late 70s and early 80s that major orchestras would be playing the music we listened to at midnight? It was a lot of fun.