17
gmaY Aci:de,.fifl e O -Nov «Of
Handel did not
need fireworks
STAGING Handel’s Messiah in Guildford Cathedral in
the first week in November was a big mistake.
Saturday night was like a front line. Fireworks
exploded with loud bangs and gunfire stutter throughout the Guildford Philharmonic Choir’s performance,
spoiling its atmosphere of spirituality.
Jeremy Backhouse brought out the Baroque dance
feel to the music, encouraging a light, fast, bouncy
attack from the choir and from the excellent
Brandenburg Sinfonia. The choir was noticeably more
confident in the second half and the chorus Since by
Man came Death admirably showed off their command
of atmosphere, phrasing, dynamics and diction. Worthy
is the Lamb was an impressive climax.
From mid nave, the soloists were a mixed success.
Bass Colin Campbell did not project the required dark
power and menace. Soprano Ghislaine Morgan is
absolutely professional but her voice does not soar ethe-
really. Tenor Andrew Murgatroyd was fruity and warm
but my favourite was the counter tenor Charles
Humphries, who sang with enormous expressiveness
and a beautiful tone, though it is doubtful how successfully it reached the back of the nave.
This elegant and quite polished performance
deserved a better audience, and it definitely deserved to
be heard free from Guy Fawkes Night interference.
Jane Garrett