Classical Concert Reviews Cinci

@cincysymphony and the May Festival Chorus under music director Cristian Mǎcelaru gave a fine performance of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah (albeit an incomplete one) as their Christmas gift to the city of Cincinnati.
Composed in the space of only 24 days in August and September 1741, it has become perhaps the most beloved and frequently-performed choral work in all of Western music, thanks in no smart part to the immortal Hallelujah Chorus. Mǎcelaru brought a vivid interpretation of this work to the evening’s proceedings, even if it was occasionally hindered by the use of a smaller orchestra against a larger chorus.
Tonight’s soloists were equally impressive, in spite of the acoustical and balance issues previously addressed. Soprano Lauren Snouffer, who recently made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera in Mason Bates’ The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, possessed a luxuriant, bright voice; this was brought to the fore in the arias Rejoice Greatly and I Know That My Redeemer Liveth. Mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke was smokily ebullient and lyrical, particularly in But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming. Wonderful contributions were also provided by tenor Nicholas Phan and baritone Søren Pedersen, substituting for an indisposed Jonathan Lemalu.
In an unusual move, a smaller chamber choir flanked on either side of the stage performed more melismatic sections of choruses, which further complicated the acoustical balance. While all of Part One was performed, Parts Two and Three essentially became a Greatest Hits portion of the concert. A sizable chunk of solos and choruses were cut, most likely to make the concert a more accessible length for the near-capacity audience at Music Hall.
All in all, however, it was a very satisfying performance. As the performance of Messiah tomorrow is nearly sold out, Collegium Cincinnati will be presenting the full work this Sunday afternoon at @christchurchcathedralcincy, continuing an annual tradition.