New Jersey Symphony. Xian Zhang - conductor. December 16, 2022.

 

Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall, Princeton, NJ.  (Parterre L2, $90).

Program

Messiah by Handel.

Artists

Ellie Dehn, soprano; Maya Lahyani, mezzo-soprano; Miles Mykkanen, tenor; Nicholas Newton, bass-baritone

Montclair State University Singers, Heather J. Buchanan, director.

The last full Messiah concert we attended was in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic closed down such performances for the last two years.  When this series by NJ Symphony was announced, I quickly got tickets as the Richardson Auditorium is quite small (capacity less than 1000).  The other possibility was the performances by New York Phil.  We are still in the "avoid NYC" frame of mind, so decided to pass.

Being in Row L means one is very close to the stage (well, the entire main floor is very close to the stage).  Together with being in a small auditorium, sound just carried well.

The tenor got to set the tone.  He voice was beautiful, steady, and firm.  All the qualities you want in an aria that set the tone for the program (Comfort Ye and Every Valley).  One could feel the audience's desire to applaud afterwards, and it is a good thing they thought better of it.  Otherwise the oratorio may be much delayed by all the interruptions!

The other 3 members of the soloist group held their own.  Perhaps it was just me, one got the sense there was a bit of "one upmanship," perhaps all in good fun.

The Montclair choir did very well.  Great articulation, nice voices, and the singers were generally enthusiastic.

The harpsichord and the organ were played by the same artist, and he had to carry the music from one instrument to the other as he moved from one keyboard to the other.  Better than having two copies and getting lost, I guess.  This was also done in other performances I have seen.  Too bad the Program didn't list his name, or the names of the other principal players in the string sections.

All in all, an enjoyable evening.

It was drizzling on our way over, so the driving was a bit difficult.  Things cleared up on our way back.

After Part I.

At the conclusion of the performance, Zhang acknowledged the different players.  Here the trumpet player.