Sat 12/10
Apollo’s Fire presented magnificent soloists with its globally acclaimed orchestra and impressive chorus for Handel’s Messiah this holiday season.
Artistic director, conductor and harpsichordist Jeannette Sorrell brought the sold-out audience to its feet Saturday evening. Her commanding vision and mastery of Baroque style helps to make Apollo’s Fire’s performances of Handel’s Messiah stand out from the best of America’s greatest orchestras. The intimacy of the smaller ensemble and period instruments imbues her orchestra with a vitality and authenticity that is unique.
Even though the orchestra must have played the Messiah hundreds of times, the performance had the energy, clarity and jubilation of an opening night. The first half of the program was excellent, but the second half was spectacular.
The soloists were without exception stellar. Amanda Crider’s rendition of “He was despised” was passionate, precise and sorrowful. Steven Wilson’s solos at the end of Part 2 were sung with a triumph that drove the music appropriately into the famous “Hallelujah Chorus.” The iconic “Hallelujah” was given one of the most convincing, moving and original interpretations I have ever heard. Erica Schuller sang “How beautiful are the feet” with an intimacy and pathos that was equally matched by partnering violinist Olivier Brault. Sonya Headlam’s rendition of “I know that my Redeemer liveth” was one of the highlights of an extraordinary evening. She was a revelation with her pure, even, rich and flawless execution, and was beautifully partnered with the passionate Brault. Headlam brought a lyricism to the aria that made for the evening’s most affecting moment. Edward Vogel’s commanding voice, partnered with virtuoso trumpeter Steven Marquardt, in “The trumpet shall sound” brought the well-conceived arc of the performance to its zenith.
The commitment, energy and engagement of the ensemble was remarkable — Brault’s commanding leadership, violinist Susanna Perry Gilmore’s sensitivity, and cellist René Schiffer’s ebullience and passion were all indicative of this unique and gifted ensemble.