Jerome Barry (left) and Charles Ma (right)
Daniel Weiser (left) and Jacques Pierre Malan
Melodies in Nature's Embrace: An Enchanting Concert at the MADE House
By C. Naseer Ahmad
Nestled amidst picturesque woods, just a stone's throw away from the serene Potomac River and near the northern edge of the George Washington Parkway in McClean, you'll discover the MADE House. This enchanting abode is the brainchild of the visionary Charles Ma, a dreamer hailing from the beautiful lands of New Zealand. On June 1, 2024, Charles and his lovely bride, Wendy, hosted an unforgettable concert in collaboration with the esteemed Embassy Series. The stage was set on a perfect spring evening, where not a single cloud adorned the sky, and a refreshing crispness filled the air.
Anne Howard-Tristani, the niece of the late US Vice-President Hubert Humphrey, played a pivotal role in bringing this enchanting evening to life, inspired by her fateful meeting with Charles and Wendy Ma. Her connection to Pakistan began with her encounter with the late Ambassador Sahibzada Yaqub Khan, during a meaningful meeting shared with her mother who was a career US Foreign Service Officer. Through her active involvement in the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship program of the US Department of State, she passionately supports and engages with Humphrey Fellows – accomplished professionals from various backgrounds based in Pakistan.
The concert itself boasted an incredible lineup of talent, showcasing the renowned and acclaimed baritone, Mr Jerome Barry, who also serves as the Director and Co-Founder of the impressive Embassy Series. Joining him on the stage were the immensely talented Daniel Weiser, a prize-winning pianist, and the internationally acclaimed cellist, Jacques-Pierre Malan, hailing from South Africa.
Both Mr Malan and Mr Weiser delivered performances that were nothing short of sublime. While I have had the pleasure of witnessing Jacques Pierre Milan's sheer brilliance on the cello on numerous occasions, including captivating performances at various embassies in Washington, DC, such as the South African Embassy, this particular evening marked my first encounter with the mesmerizing piano playing of the remarkable Dr Daniel Weiser. His mastery of the piano and complete command of the keyboard on that beautiful Saturday evening were truly captivating, exceeding even the loftiest of expectations. One particular highlight of the event was their enthralling collaboration on the first movement of Edvard Grieg's Piano and Cello Sonata in A minor Opus 36.
Another standout moment during the evening's program was the divine performance of the 5 Georgian Folk Songs for Cello and Piano, composed by the renowned Georgian maestro, Sulkhan Tsintsadze (1925-1991), who gained worldwide acclaim for his mastery of chamber music.
Adding to the awe-inspiring piano and cello performances by Mr Weiser and Jacques Pierre Malan, it was Mr Jerome Barry's time to shine as he took center stage to share three of his personal favorite songs by celebrated composers, showcasing his rich and versatile baritone voice. Over the span of 30+ years, Mr Barry has graced prestigious concert halls across the United States and 15 different countries, including over 300 concerts in Israel.
Mr Barry's versatility and passion radiated effortlessly as he showcased his extensive knowledge and mastery of various languages, impressively speaking nine and singing in 31. He even delighted audiences by effortlessly uttering a sentence or two in Urdu. Notably, Mr Barry has organized splendid musical concerts at the Embassy of Pakistan, further exemplifying his commitment to cultural exchange through music.
On that captivating Saturday evening, he dedicated a heartfelt love song, "Yours Is My Heart Alone" by the brilliant Franz Lehar (1870-1958), to his beloved wife Lisette. He also mesmerized the audience with the enchanting "Some Enchanted Evening" from the renowned musical South Pacific by Richard Rodgers (1902-1979). Additionally, he delighted the crowd with one of his cherished opera arias for bass voice – "Non piu andrai," sung by Figaro in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's (1756-1791) 1786 opera "Le Nozze di Figaro" (The Marriage of Figaro).
After the concert, Ms Howard-Tristani graciously shared her thoughts on the event, labeling it an absolute masterpiece that showcased the extraordinary talents of Jerome Barry, a world-renowned classical baritone who has graced illustrious stages across the globe. She also praised Jacques-Pierre Malan, an internationally acclaimed South African cellist, celebrated for his mesmerizing performances in concerts throughout Africa and Europe. Additionally, she commended Mr Daniel Weiser, a highly acclaimed international pianist, who not only founded AmiciMusic but is also the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Classicopia, a chamber music organization based in beautiful New Hampshire. Ms Howard-Tristani even shared a bit about Mr Weiser's background, highlighting his role as the US Artistic Ambassador Abroad in 1996. Furthermore, she proudly mentioned that Jacques-Pierre Malan holds the distinction of being the first-ever Artist-in-Residence of the historic Embassy Series in Washington, DC, an organization currently celebrating its 30th anniversary. Notably, Mr Malan also performed at the Embassy Series concert honoring Nelson Mandela's legacy at the residence of the then South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool a few years ago.
In life, it is the power of our thoughts that inspire dreams which, with dedication and perseverance, can undoubtedly become a reality. This concert beautifully narrated the remarkable story of Charles Ma, a visionary dreamer who continuously imagines magnificent projects like the small town of Auranga in New Zealand. Incidentally, according to the 2018 Census, 13,000 people of Pakistan origin live in New Zealand. Despite his training as a structural engineer, Charles Ma built this town in his early 20s after transitioning from a successful career in a private equity firm, where he rapidly rose through the ranks. As Simon Wilson wrote in the New Zealand Herald on September 19, 2022, "Ma's not simply creating homes for people, he's constructing an entire world to live in." And through hosting this remarkable concert, Ma accomplished exactly that within his MADE House in McLean.
As the concert unfolded, it seemed as if the soul of Louis Armstrong was present, quietly humming the immortal lyrics that have touched hearts worldwide:
"I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world"
