Voices of Angels: a Venetian Christmas—The Canberra Times

Presented by Oriana Chorale and UC Chorale

St Paul's Church, Manuka, 12 December 2009

Reviewer: Jennifer Gall

The lead-up to Christmas is famous for shopping frenzies and the dreadful music in shopping malls bombarding us with synthetic seasonal cheer. In contrast, the Venetian Christmas concert presented exuberant performances of well-loved works by Gabrieli, Schutz, Monteverdi and Vivaldi.

Tobias Cole conducted the two chorales and instrumental ensemble with vigour and passion. By positioning one choir in the organ loft and the other at the front of the church, we were treated to a stereophonic sound effect. From his position in the centre of the church, Cole enthusiastically gestured in two directions at once as the voices from both ends of the church washed around the listeners.

Cole is developing a reputation for immersing the audience in the total concert experience and this was no exception. A musical drill in the first half prepared us for our entry in the final work, Gabrieli's Hodie Christus Natus Est. There is nothing like the thrill of singing in a church filled with other singers, the building and all its inhabitants reverberating with harmony.

Gabrieli's Jubilate Deo was a confidant and exultant opening to the concert, with sparkling eight-part counterpoint. Heinrich Schutz's Deutsches Magnificat SWV 494 and Jauchzet dem Herrn SWV36, using the choirs' split configuration, provided a pleasing taste of German Christmas music.

The highlight of the concert was Vivaldi's Gloria, heralded triumphantly by Graeme Reynolds's trumpet. Tim Wickham led the chamber ensemble of two violins, viola, cello, bass and keyboard and skilfully negotiated the rhythmic contrasts of each section to sustain the fundamental dramatic tension in the work. Fellow string players Lathika Vithanage, Lucy Carrigy-Ryan and Alex Voorhoeve shone in the romping Domine Fili.

The two soloists, Amanda Stephens Lee and Katie Erland, created exciting music in their duet, Laudamus te, blending their very different voices so skilfully that the full contrasts of vocal quality were revealed dramatically in their solos. Erland sang with purity and delightful accuracy in her ornamentation - the voice of a Venetian angel. Stephens brought a rich sensuality in the phrasing of her solo performance of Domine Deus, demonstrating the depth of her vocal abilities.

To conclude the concert, the choirs, musicians and audience joined forces in Hodie Christus Natus Est, underpinned by the satisfying growling notes of Justin Bullock's double bass and the luscious throb of St Paul's organ played by Adam Cook.

Toby Cole can be well pleased with his contribution to Canberra's music-making this year. Through his irresistible fervour he has brought audiences, musicians and dead composers to life by lifting the notes off the page and sending them into the hearts and minds of many.