San Diego Symphony’s production of George Frideric Handel’s great oratorio, “Messiah,” was both thrilling and challenging. The group performed Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s enlarged orchestration, which makes for more thrilling choral climaxes and also provides an opportunity for greater contrasts between these moments and the breathtaking pianissimo singing and playing Maestro Jahja Ling drew from the San Diego Master Chorale and his symphony players.
Mozart’s embellishments are, well, Mozartean and that’s just fine. The discombobulating part of the experience lies in the redistribution and omission of some recitatives and arias. For instance, the soprano aria “Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion” was sung by tenor Stanford Olsen. Olsen’s performance was creditable, but when the aria is so similar in fioratura and construction to the tenor’s previously sung “Every Valley Shall Be Exalted,” one questions the wisdom of the switch, especially when the lovely soprano of Leah Partridge, who also surrendered some of the recitatives preceding “Rejoice Greatly,” went to waste. Omitted was the mezzo-soprano’s reiteration of the soprano’s “He Shall Feed His Flock.” This is sad in light of the beauteous quality of Stacey Rishoi’s voice.
Bass-baritone Charles Robert Austin scored with his blockbuster arias, “But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming” and “The Trumpet Shall Sound,” though from where we sat he employed some distorted vowel sounds and coloration on the latter. By the way, the handsome singer came elegantly clad like the Papa Germont from “La Traviata.” Austin’s entitled: He’s in the midst of a brilliant opera career.
San Diego Symphony presents its annual “Holiday Pops” with Crusader Bells and San Diego Master Chorale Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 21-23, at Copley Symphony Hall, 7th and B. For information, visit www.sandiegosymphony.com or call (619) 235-0804.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego presented “Nutcracker: Men in Tights” to a capacity audience at Sherwood Auditorium Saturday, Dec. 16, the first of two identical seasonal concerts (the second took place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17).
The giddy, all-male “Nutcracker” was just one of many enjoyable parts of an overlong evening (late start, many costume changes). Diminutive Joe Gregore, who appears classically trained, danced the part of Clarence (Clara) in “Nutcracker,” and then surprised the audience with his lovely solo vocal on “Miss You Most (At Christmas Time).” Much more subtle and funny than the “Nutcracker” send-up was “Christmas in the Cloister,” performed by the ensemble and “celebrant” Bruce Worthy.
On the brink of its 15th year, Gay Men’s Chorus plans a return to Sherwood Auditorium Dec. 15-26, 2007 with a handbell choir and brass ensemble. For information about their upcoming programs in April and July, visit www.gmcsd.com.
