Garsington Opera at Wormsley, 25 July 2019
Strange to be at Wormsley on the hottest night of the year with virtually no one in evening dress. This was because the performance had been preceded by a cricket match and most people seemed to have stayed on from the afternoon into the evening’s glorious outpouring of Monteverdi at his most spectacular.
This was a tactfully staged rendition, just enough movement to keep the eye interested without ever encroaching on the impact of the score. For once Joe Strathers projection of the text was fully included into the setting, with the English and Latin projected at large onto the timber back wall. Our eyes could take it in easily without constantly moving from text to singers.
Soloists included members of Garsington’s fine chorus across the evening and throughout the building. Monteverdi’s echo effects worked to superbly with voices coming from all parts of the house, an effect also used in the Sonata with its six female soloists.
The solo work is scored for high voices with sopranos Mary and Sophie Bevan, and tenors Benjamin Hulett, Robert Murray and James Way carrying the weight of the solo sections. Duo seraphim for the three tenors was particularly beautiful with its undulating rhythms and quasi-ornamental conclusion.
The English Consort was joined by The English Cornett and Sackbutt Ensemble to give us an electrifying account of the score, frequently changing instrumentation to give subtle differences of texture and weight. Within the ensemble were two chamber organs, the smaller being paired with the harpsichord which was played by conductor Laurence Cummings. He stood throughout and seemed to dance his way through the various movements even as he used one or other of the keyboards. The sense of dance was an essential element of PJ Harris’ staging as the singers flowed gracefully throughout the building always at one with the music.
This brought the Garsington Opera season to a close. Its 30th anniversary and a splendid indication that the next thirty years are not in doubt.