Stuart Chafetz and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra SNAPped! The Rady Shell back to the 90s
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park buzzed with a familiar kind of upbeat energy on Sunday August 31st. The grandeur of a world-class orchestra met the uninhibited spirit of the 1990s for Snap! Best of the 90s with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. From the moment the first notes of the iconic decade hit the bayside air, it was clear this would not be a night of quiet contemplation. The collaboration brilliantly fused of two worlds, with the orchestra’s lush, symphonic arrangements giving new life to alternative anthems and pop hits, and the energy of the crowd proving that these songs have become timeless classics.
Guiding the musical journey was conductor Stuart Chafetz, a maestro known for his captivating showmanship and deep understanding of pop repertoire. He was joined on stage by a stellar band and a quartet of powerful vocalists. The band, a crucial bridge between the orchestra and the pop songs, featured Brian Kushmaul on drums. Their tight, dynamic playing provided a rock-solid foundation for the symphony’s expansive sound. The four vocalists—Julie Reiber, Ciara Renée, Jim Hogan, and Tamar Greene—each brought their unique style and immense talent to the stage, effortlessly navigating the range of genres from soulful ballads to high-energy rock anthems.
The setlist was a masterfully curated trip down memory lane, starting with hits that immediately captured the crowd’s attention. The orchestral arrangements gave a new, cinematic depth to songs like U2’s One and Oasis’ Champagne Supernova. The strings swelled on Prince’s Diamonds and Pearls, led by Associate Concertmaster Wesley Precourt, whose violin has been up for the challenge of this summer season’s unique shows. As the night progressed, the energy in the crowd began to shift. A few brave audience members couldn’t resist the infectious beat of Livin’ La Vida Loca and grooved from their seats to the pit in front of the stage creating an impromptu dance party with each familiar hit.
By the time the show neared its finale, the entire venue was electric. Throngs of people poured from their seats, rushing to the front of the stage to dance and sing along. The air was filled with pure, unadulterated joy. For the final number, Conductor Chafetz, who had masterfully controlled the orchestra all night, returned to the podium wearing a pair of iconic MC Hammer pants, drawing a roar of laughter and applause. With a mischievous grin, he launched the ensemble into a show-stopping rendition of U Can’t Touch This, the orchestra’s brass section blaring with funk-infused precision, bringing the night to an unforgettable climax.
