The Opera Tattler

* Notes *

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale (pictured, photograph by Hefti) performed Rameau’s acte de ballet La Guirlande, ou Les Fleurs enchantées yesterday evening at Herbst Theater in San Francisco. This lilting one-act hybrid of opera and ballet is being conducted by the inimitable Nicholas McGegan, music director emeritus of this group..

Like every Baroque opera, the plot is convoluted and in this case involves a pair of lovers, Zélide and Myrtil, who have mystical garlands that will live forever as long as the two are true to each other. Naturally Myrtil falls in love with another, his garland fades and Zélide trades his garland for her fresh one, and antics ensue.

The orchestra sounded together and bouncy under McGegan’s baton. It was fun to hear the musette, a small French bagpipe, in this piece. Christopher Layer, the player, did well. The percussion was also strong, as was the piccolo. The dance music felt very apt for ballet and is charming.

The chorale sounded fine, Valérie Sainte-Agathe clearly has been doing a good job with finding the right voices that blend so nicely but also contrast well when needed.

The soloists are likewise strong. Soprano Nola Richardson (Zélide) is icy and clear without being harsh. Tenor Aaron Sheehan has a pleasant open brightness as Myrtil. I remember his voice from West Edge Opera’s David and Jonathan last summer, he really has a good sound for French Baroque operas.

Since the Rameau is less than an hour long, the performance began with Händel’s even more concise Dixit Dominus. The five soloists included our two leads for the following opera and three singers from the chorale. I liked the warmth of soprano Victoria Fraser compared to the colder tones of Richardson. Countertenor Kyle Sanchez Tingzon sounded very pretty and bass-baritone Chung Wai Soong rounded things out with his deeper, richer tones.

* Tattling *

The audience was fairly quiet and attentive, and no electronic noise was noted. There was a bit of whispering from the center of Row M or thereabouts.