Barbican Hall. Jephte & Dido and Aeneas

 

                                                              Joice DiDonato and Andrew Staples

The fabulous Il Pomo d’Oro orchestra and choir, under the direction of conductor Maxim Emelyanychev produced a sublime performance of two of the greatest Baroque works: Jephte and Dido and Aeneas.  The former a retelling of a biblical tale, the latter of love; both of which end in sorrow and tragedy. 

A fantastic early 17^th century oratorio composed by Carissimi which tells of the Israelite commander who, in return for Gods aid in his victories, promises he will sacrifice the first person he meets on his return from war. To his utter horror the first person to greet him is his daughter. She nobly offers herself as a sacrifice and sings her sorrowful and anguishing lament asking the children of Israel to weep for her death.

This work is imbued with the sound of early baroque music which resonates to the sound of the harpsichord. The choir sing of the joy of victory but end with sorrowful and beautiful tones reverential as if awed by a biblical story of tragedy. Andrew Staples, as Jepthe the father, is a tenor with a bass to convey his grief to his daughter; his sadness is laid bare. The scene is set then for the lament of his daughter where the soprano soars to heights of emotion. Weep and remember her heartbreak and sacrifice.

 

Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell as his finest. The English composer steeped in the traditions of Baroque music produced an opera telling of the love between Trojan, Aeneas and the queen of Carthage Dido. It ends with her suicide after Aeneas leaves for Rome.

Dido is sung by Joyce DiDonato one of the world’s premier sopranos blessed with an exquisite voice. She is ably supported by Fatima Said and Carlotta Colombo both with angelic and demonic voices which carry the emotion of the libretto.

Dido is fearful but her fateful companion Belinda reassures her all will be well as the hero will return from war to love her once more.  In time Aeneas returns in triumph, now almost a god amongst men there is joy in the choir love will conquer all.

 

Carlotta Colombo, Anna Piroli and Joice DiDonato

Sorceress, sung by Beth Taylor with wicked venom, along with her two sisters sing of their hatred of their queen Dido  They plot to destroy her by sending a false message delivered by Mercury sending Aeneas back to Rome. Here the choir sing an evil chortle, such wickedness will succeed.  In the vale a thunderstorm, created by Koen Plaetinck percussion arrives to and Spirit appears before Aeneas to summon him back to Rome. Spirit is sung by Hugh Cutting with a stunning, pitch perfect counter tenor voice.

 

The end is near for Dido with Aeneas gone. This is the climax where Joyce Di Donanto sings Dido’s lament with such raw emotion and power so as to transfix the audience. 

Only a mournful bass plays to add to the sorrow of her end. A truly evocative ending which leaves the audience spellbound. When the spotlight fades there is rapturous applause for the performance and the brilliant talents of all the performers. A truly wonderful night of Baroque music played by musicians and singers at the very pinnacle of excellence.   

 

Mike Aburrow