Classical Concert Reviews Cinci

It’s not often that one gets to hear the May Festival Chorus give a solo concert that is outside of the regular May Festival (@mayfestivalcincy) season. But they brought compelling artistry and vivid musicianship to a program at Christ Church Cathedral (@christchurchcathedralcincy) featuring Maurice Duruflé’s immortal Requiem and a new version for chorus and organ of Crown of Hummingbirds by Julia Adolphe (@julia.adolphe), first composed for chorus and orchestra to mark the May Festival’s 150th anniversary.
The chorus’s performance of the Duruflé was majestic, sharp, crisp and warm throughout, particularly in the opening Introit and Kyrie and the Agnus Dei. In a rather unusual move, the baritones of the chorus sang the solo sections in the third and seventh movements which was to have been sung by soloist Elliot Madore. He, unfortunately, had to withdraw at the last minute due to illness. The result turned out to be quite impressive, with the baritones possessing a bright and resplendent sound.
Mezzo-soprano Lily Scalisi provided an inviting and tender solo in the fifth movement Pie Jesu. I did find, however, that her lowest and highest registers were slightly lacking in their power, which created a bit of an uneven balance with cello and organ. But it was an excellent sound nonetheless.
Adolphe’s Crown of Hummingbirds is definitely one of the most exciting new pieces to emerge in the last 5-10 years. Setting a poem written especially for this work by the Jamaican-born Safiya Sinclair, it displayed vivid evocations of the harmonic worlds of Durufle as well as Herbert Howells and Eric Whitacre, especially in her writing for a capella chorus. Robert Porco’s direction in both pieces was clear and concise without needing to rely on sweeping gestures, reminiscent of the great Romanian conductor Sergiu Celibidache late in his career.
Organist Michael Unger provided outstanding and engaging accompaniment, showcasing every sound available on the cathedral’s new Richards, Fowkes pipe organ, certainly one of the most beautiful in the city.
All in all, a great performance to round off a cool, late-October evening in Cincinnati.