* Notes *
The 2013-2014 season of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra ended with Vivaldi’s only surviving oratorio Juditha triumphans devicta Holofernis barbarie. The work features a few of the more unusual Baroque instruments. Violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock played viola d’amore in “Quanto magis generosa” and clarinetist Eric Hoeprich played a chalumeau in “Veni, veni, me sequere fida.” Both of these arias are for Juditha, and were sung beautifully by mezzo-soprano Cécile van de Sant (pictured left) at Sunday’s concert in Berkeley. Her voice is rich and smoky, with great resonance. The orchestra was in fine form, as was the chorus. One was especially impressed at how the chorus was able to nuance the different roles it played.
The rest of the singing was more than competent. Soprano Dominique Labelle sang the role of Juditha’s handmaid Abra. Mezzo-soprano Diana Moore sang Holofernes with authority, she did a particularly nice rendition of “Seda, o cara, dilecta speciosa.” Mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux sounded bright as Vagaus, the squire of Holofernes. Her parts with the chorus were wonderful and her coloratura in “Quamvis ferro, et ense gravis” was incredible.
* Tattling *
I was sandwiched between subscribers that talked over me before the performance, but were kindly apologetic about doing so. They did keep fairly quiet during the music. Someone’s mobile telephone in Row F quacked while Holofernes sang recitative.
I was under the impression this performance would be two hours or perhaps two and a half hours long, but with a run time of three, I sadly had to leave at intermission.
The Opera Tattler 
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