Three stars
Marsh Symphony on the Prairie;
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra;
Conner Prairie; July 25-26

James Bond film music brought an enthusiastic audience of Ian Fleming and film aficionados to the prairie on an evening of splendid sunset variations interestingly matching the themes of the films presented in chronological order from 1962-2006. Guest conductor Carl Davis enriched the enjoyment of the 19 offerings with background information about the composer, the star actor and highlights of making the film. Vocalist Mary Carewe brought a pleasing range of vocal and showmanship qualities to the lyrics, thereby giving substance to the films’ adventures even for someone who may have seen it but once or not at all. For those who truly “know” James Bond films, there was an obvious link and reaction. This visceral exchange between audience and performers was evident with the ISO players as well. It’s one thing to hear composer Monty Norman’s “James Bond Theme” or John Barry’s “Goldfinger” or Burt Bacharach’s “The Look of Love” as action is rolling and quite another to experience the familiar music plucked from a soundtrack and played as a work of art by a live orchestra. A fine concept well executed, programs such as this do a lot to grow ISO audiences.