By Eyal Solomon…
The New York Pops’ Let’s Misbehave: The Songs of Cole Porter turned Carnegie Hall into a celebration of one of America’s most urbane and enduring composers. Under the baton of Steven Reineke, the evening was not just a survey of Porter’s greatest hits but a stylish, sophisticated revival that proved his work is as fresh and vibrant as ever.
The program was packed with Porter’s most beloved songs—“Night and Day,” “I Love Paris,” “My Heart Belongs to Daddy”—yet the real magic came in the details: unexpected arrangements, electrifying performances, and a sense of playfulness that evoked the glittering salon culture Porter adored.
The evening’s trio of guest artists—Tony DeSare, Bria Skonberg, and John Manzari—each brought their own considerable talents. DeSare, a vocalist and pianist with a velvety voice and impeccable phrasing, opened with a dashing take on “Night and Day.” His own original compositions, including “Paris Always Will Have You” and “Chemistry,” paid brilliant homage to Porter’s sophistication and charm, seamlessly fitting in alongside the classics.
Then there was Skonberg, the Canadian-born songstress and trumpet virtuoso, who strutted onto the stage in a fab purple gown (the first among four outfits) and promptly set the house ablaze with “From This Moment On.” Her smoky voice paired with her angular trumpet phrasing made for a memorable “You Do Something to Me.” In a thrilling moment of showmanship, she and DeSare “traded fours” between her trumpet and his piano, displaying both exquisite musicianship and showmanship.
The night’s firecracker was Manzari, a tap-dancing phenom and singer who brought physicality to Porter’s music. Tap is, at its best, a percussive conversation, and Manzari used his intricate footwork to transform numbers like “I Love Paris,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and “Begin the Beguine” into visual and rhythmic spectacle. Through piece after piece he made the floor his instrument. His performance of “Anything Goes” was a showstopper, bringing joy that rippled through the audience.
The second half of the concert maintained the energy, opening with the lush strains of “Wunderbar” before diving into a sultry “Too Darn Hot.” Skonberg, joined DeSare for a steamy duet of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” evoking Sinatra and Fitzgerald. The chemistry between the two was palpable. Their renditions of “True Love” and “Everytime You Say Goodbye” were no less than magical.
By the time the grand finale arrived—a rousing, full-tilt rendition of “Anything Goes”—the audience was fully under the spell. The New York Pops, ever the consummate ensemble, delivered Reineke’s crisp, buoyant arrangements with verve, allowing Porter’s timeless melodies to shine.
THE NEW YORK POPS PRESENTS “LET’S MISBEHAVE: THE SONGS OF COLE PORTER” ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2025 AT CARNEGIE HALL
Photo credit: Richard Termine.
