The Opera Tattler

Reviews of Performances and their Audiences

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Category: American Bach Soloists

  • ABS performs St. John Passion

    * Notes * American Bach Soloists finished a run of St. John Passion (1725 version) concerts last weekend, ending with a matinée performance in San Francisco on Sunday. The singing was excellent. Tenor Aaron Sheehan has a bright sound as the Evangelist. Though much of his part is obviously on the declamatory side, he has…

  • ABS Performs Alexander’s Feast

    * Notes * American Bach Soloists gave a splendid performance of the fittingly titled Alexander's Feast, or The Power of Music yesterday afternoon in San Francisco. The oratorio by Händel is adapted from John Dryden's ode for Saint Cecilia's Day of the same name. ABS was played with the composer's Concerto in B-Flat Major for…

  • ABS Performs Sémélé

    * Notes * American Bach Soloists gave the North American premiere of Marais' Sémélé last night in San Francisco. The music is exquisite and Jeffrey Thomas conducted a precise performance. The chorus was strong and the soloists were evenly matched. Ever consistent, Maestro Thomas led a clean sounding orchestra. Even the trumpet was more or…

  • ABS Marais’ Sémélé Q&A

    My Q&A preview with Maestro Jeffrey Thomas of American Bach Soloists about Marais' Sémélé is on KQED Arts. Looking forward to the opening on Thursday, August 13 at San Francisco Conservatory of Music. I am impressed that a second performance had to be added back in June because of the high demand for tickets, as…

  • ABS Performs Matthew Passion

    * Notes * American Bach Soloists is currently performing sold-out St. Matthew Passion concerts around the Bay Area. Jeffrey Thomas conducted a fastidious performance in Berkeley last night. The orchestra played neatly. The soloists were not entirely even, and the choral singing often sounded most cohesive. Tenor Derek Chester (pictured left) sounded lovely as the…

  • ABS Performs Acis and Galatea

    * Notes * This weekend American Bach Soloists is performing Händel’s Acis and Galatea with Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4. During last night’s Berkeley concert Jeffrey Thomas conducted a crisp, vibrant Acis and Galatea. All of the soloists sang with a fine lucidity and the chorus sounded decisive. Nola Richardson (pictured left) had a lovely…

  • ABS performs Magnificat

    * Notes * Last weekend American Bach Soloists performed a program consisting entirely of works by Johann Sebastian Bach. Last Sunday’s San Francisco concert began with the very cheery and sycophantic “Tönet, ihr Pauken! Erschallet, Trompeten!” The ensemble, conducted by ABS Music Director Jeffrey Thomas, played neatly. The tenor, Guy Cutting, was slightly blustery, while…

  • ABS performs Lotti and Bach

    * Notes * The final concert series this season of American Bach Soloists included works by Antonio Lotti (pictured left) and Johann Sebastian Bach. Last Sunday's San Francisco performance began with Lotti's Mass for Three Choirs. The ensemble, conducted by Jeffrey Thomas, sounded characteristically clear and clean. Concertmaster Elizabeth Blumenstock was particularly splendid in her…

  • ABS performs Bach and Telemann

    * Notes * The American Bach Soloists performed secular works from Bach and Telemann last Saturday in San Francisco. The evening began with the "Wedding Cantata," with soprano Yulia Van Doren as the soloist. Her voice as a darkness to it, yet maintains a clarity of tone. She was pleasant to hear, though she did not…

  • ABS performs Purcell and Händel

    * Notes * The American Bach Soloists performed four odes for the “royal women of Britannia” yesterday evening in San Francisco. The first two works were from Purcell, and both for Queen Mary, namely Now Does the Glorious Day Appear and Come, ye Sons of Art. Both orchestra and chorus sounded neat and square under…