MESSIAH
Cantores Minores
performed G.F. Handel’s oratorio Messiah in the Helsinki Cathedral on the eve
of All Saints’ Day. I have earlier heard Cantores Minores in German oratorios
and passions, so this oratorio in English was a nice change.
The performance was
awesome. The choir was, as usual, wonderful to listen to and this oratorio
revealed quite new sides in its singing. Excellent work and especially the
lower voices turned out to be far more interesting than before.
In addition to the excellent
choir the soloists of the evening were stunning. I admit that I am a huge fan
of Tuomas Katajala, so I was really looking forward to his performance,
especially since I had only heard him before in operas. But he was fantastic
also in this religious work. Katajala’s tenor voice is wonderfully warm and
full-bodied. The two other male soloists, countertenor Teppo Lampela and
baritone Aarne Pelkonen also sang beautifully. Out of the individual arias I
was most looking forward to the soprano aria Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of
Zion. However, I was a bit disappointed with that. Even though Johanna Rusanen
sang really well the whole evening, I felt that the interpretation of this
particular aria was a bit too aggressive. The ornamental parts of the aria
would have sounded better if they had been sung with a little bit lighter
touch.
The Finnish Baroque
Orchestra played beautifully the whole evening and even though the performance
lasted three hours instead of the promised two and a half, I believe the
audience was really satisfied when they left the church.
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| The Helsinki Cathedral |
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| The Altar |
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