February 9, 2020 – DENVER. As the lights dimmed and the crowd silenced, Thomasluke Florez-Mansi of Sante Fe, New Mexico, walked on stage for his junior recital at the Lamont School of Music. Greeted by a warm applause, Florez-Mansi stood under the spotlight in front of a beautiful black grand piano dressed in a clean black suit with a black bowtie.
Settled in on stage, with a slight smile, Florez-Mansi began the recital with his rendition of Messiah, performed originally by George Frideric Handel in 1741. Beth Nielsen, the pianist, filled the cozy auditorium with warm notes from the piano, mimicking the crescendos and decrescendos of Florez-Mansi’s resounding performance of classical music.
“Once his performance started, I was absolutely baffled at the bravado in his voice. At first glance he didn’t look like he’d have such a strong sound, but I guess that’s why they say ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’” said John Hollington, a 76 year old alumni of the Lamont School of Music.
The plush seating in Hamilton Hall allowed the audience to settle into the performance and feel the full gusto of Florez-Mansi’s classical performance. Appearing comfortable and confident throughout the entire recital, the classical music flowed throughout the two story concert hall.
With about 40 people in the audience, filling most seats on the lower level of the concert hall. About half of the audience were students and or friends of Florez-Mansi, and about half elderly folks who appeared to be there simply to enjoy a snowy Sunday evening recital.
“I’ve never been to a classical music performance in my life before,” said Sam Lasin, a third year marketing major at the University of Denver, “It really changed my outlook on music and made me realize there is a lot more music out there other than the mainstream stuff.”
Florez-Mansi, who is attending the University of Denver to achieve a bachelor of music degree in performance, created an event on his Facebook to gather an audience. Describing his performance on his Facebook as a “short rectial showcasing some of my favorite repertoire from the past few years that I’ve studied at Lamont”.
After each rendition of his selection of classical music, the audience showed massive appreciation through applause for his stage presence and talent. As the recital continued on, a few of the elderly folks started to nod off, not out of boredom, but because of the comforting tone of Florez-Mansi’s voice.
“That was fantastic,” said Tempel Ransdell, a junior business management major at the University of Denver, “the pageantry, the costumes, wow! What a recital”.
The dedication to music, the talent, and the elegance of Florez-Mansi is undeniable and was most certainly not unnoticed by the audience. As the recital wrapped up, and Florez-Mansi’s final notes were belted out, the crowd erupted in a standing ovation and Florez-Mansi and Nielsen both bowed and the room was illuminated fully once again.
The MFJS Reporter -- Winter 2020 M-W 