NZSO delivers superior Messiah
Handel’s Messiah The Tudor Consort, Madeleine Pierard, Christopher Field, Henry Choo, James Clayton, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Graham Abbott. Michael Fowler Centre, December 10.
It seems a long time now since we were forced to experience the annual Messiah conducted by a choral director with no real understanding of Handelian style.
Since the NZSO took over this traditional Christmas experience, we have been treated to some riveting performances, climaxed by last year’s stunner conducted by Nicholas McGegan.
I could not imagine, then, any performance surpassing that achievement, so how did the 2016 effort stand up?
Australian conductor Graham Abbott gave us a very fine performance in 2012, highlighted by some wonderfully arresting singing by Simon O’Neill, a vibrant Orpheus Choir – and a very expressive approach by the conductor.
This time he had The Tudor Consort, a choir for this occasion of 38 voices, and it provided singing of superb precision, beautiful balances, and tonal refinement. It didn’t erase memories of last year’s handpicked choir, but it went close.
I was impressed with this year’s soloists, they were an extremely well-matched group with each responding with great expressivity to Abbott’s demands. Madeleine Pierard is no stranger to recent Messiahs, but this was surely her finest singing yet, and tenor Henry Choo and countertenor Christopher Field were similarly impressive. James Clayton has always seemed slightly light voiced for ‘‘The trumpet shall sound’’ but he, too, is a fine singer.
The NZSO players were, as always, very polished and assured as they contributed to aMessiah that while not quite as dramatically unforgettable as last year’s, was still from the very top drawer.
Now, for next year, how about giving us Mozart’s orchestration for a change? It is not quite Handel, but it is stunningly beautiful. – John Button