BURLINGBRAE, CA—The ambitious vocalists of the community’s Soporific Singers launched a double-barreled program at the Main Hall as unique as it was enriching, at least for the ensemble’s well-publicized financial ills.

The choral iconography was artfully enmeshed in post-renaissance harmonic convergence, avoiding the pitfalls of insipid incipits. The repertory included Henry Howell’s “Our Magnum Opus” and Lauritz’ “Savior of Industry, “ commissioned by a recent White House grant. They were tastefully conducted by Marika Dunn and I.M. Neerlee Undunn, who are unrelated.

The resonant sounds of the group in this demanding repertory were audible well outside the massive oaken doors, prompting the city-hall picketers to melt away one by one in evident empathy.

Spotted among the singers was a familiar moonlighting baritone, Jeff Samarkand of the SF Giants, a two-seam pitcher as well as a pinch-hitter who can produce a double or two too.

Striking wall designs in the Main Hall, like India-ink abstractions reminding one of  an Amazon-delta map,  are in truth fairly recent microcracks, left by a Met star’s recent recital with those robust high Cs, or else by the 4.9 earthquake that we well-shaken locals will not soon forget.

While the singers wavered before agreeing on the precise location of the high A, they were highly commendable. They proved themselves unfailingly valiant and persevering despite the cancellation of two rehearsals because of a regrettable restroom flood. By concert time, happy to say, the problem had largely been resolved. As always the small but select audience gave the performance a standing ovation, some enthusiastically holding forth, others holding noses.

This review is based not on any concert reality but rather on this critic’s vivid dream of March 8. Names have been altered to protect both the innocent and the guilty within the Soporific Singers chimera. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is either coincidental or otherwise.

This review has been embargoed for earlier release well prior to the intended April 1 date, to avoid impinging distastefully on  concurrent observances. This year April Fool, Passover and Easter collide.

The ensemble Soporific Singers, now close to 75 years old, in action March 8 at the Main Hall, Burlingbrae, CA. For further info, go online: www.neverherenorhear.com.

Happy April Fool!