Classical Concert Reviews Cinci

@collegium_cincy continued its 2025-26 season with what has become an annual tradition – a thrilling performance of George Frideric Handel’s oratorio Messiah, undoubtedly the most frequently-performed choral work in all of Western music. Under the leadership of artistic director Matthew Phelps, sicteeen of the finest local professional singers gathered to provide an invigorating dose of Christmas cheer to the Queen City.
Choruses throughout were concise and agile, particularly those from Parts 1 and 2. All 16 singers were given an opportunity to showcase their considerable talent in the recitatives and arias which help tell the story of Jesus’ life.
Some of the finest soprano performances came from Olivia Knutsen, Maren Hrivnak and Valarie Vinzant, Knutsen’s voice was reflective and supple; Hrivnak’s fully inhabiting the artistic elements of Baroque performance practice in arias like If God Be For Us, and Vinzant possessing strong, florid coloratura.
Many of the altos featured were returning faces, including Katherine Gardin and Lily Scalisi; new faces like Sydney Sorbet and Samantha Pape brought their own unique interpretation to Thou Art Gone Up on High.
Tenors Reed Gnepper, Levi Capesius, Carlos Ahrens and Ryan Montgomery brought spectacular voices to their solos, even if some of them deserved to be longer than they were. Basses Stephen Hanna, Thom Dreeze, Søren Pederson and Grant Jackson brought voices that were dramatic yet decidedly supple, particularly in The Trumpet Shall Sound, Why Do The Nations and But Who May Abide. Collegium Cincinnati’s orchestra also turned in fine performances, particularly concertmaster Manami White, oboists Bonnie Farr and Nathan Hubbard and trumpeter Ashley Hall-Tighe.
Performances like this provide a great experience for young up and coming singers, and this fine group more than delivered. Bravi tutti!