Concerto for Strings RV 118 (largo); Stabat Mater RV 621; Concerto for Strings “Madrigalesco” RV 129; Nisi Dominus RV 608; Vivaldi Sinfonia, first movement from L’Olimpiade RV 725; « While you sleep», air de Licida, « Conquesto ferro et « Gemo in un punto e fremo », extraits de L’Olimpiade RV 725; Concerto for Strings and Basso Continuo RV 114; « Frosty in every vein, air extrait de Farnace RV 711; « Will make my sword », air extrait of Il Tigrane RV 740
I decided to go to one of the two Anglican churches in Paris on Sunday morning for a Communion service – this was St George’s, set in the basement of a block of modern flats but looking very church-like and solemn inside. It was a high church service – smells and bells on display – and I was moved to see Fr Jeffrey John, so disgracefully treated by the Church of England 23 years ago, and repeatedly since, as one of the celebrants, an associate priest at this church since his retirement. Inevitably the notices featured the Christmas Bazaar and the resourcing of the Tombola………………
Today and tomorrow are ‘off’ days for the Ring. I have a Wagner Society meeting to be part of tomorrow evening, but I thought I’d go to something ‘completely different’ musically today. There was a lot to choose from – the Leonkoro quartet at lunchtime playing Haydn and Brahms, Elizabeth Leonskaya playing Shostakovich and Chopin, an all-Liszt symphonic concert and tomorrow Klaus Makela and the Concertgebouw performing Mahler 7 and Freddie di Tomasso singing Puccini – but eventually I went for this Vivaldi show, featuring Jarouusky who I haven’t heard before. I had restricted view seats – so restricted I couldn’t actually see him sing or the band play, without standing up and then spoiling the view of the people behind. But it was nevertheless a delightful evening. The star number was one I have actually heard live before – a really beautiful aria called “Mentre Dormi’ from L’Olympiade. This has a gorgeous melody. Two other powerful arias I liked are the slowish dramatic one ‘Gelido in ogni vena’ from Farnace, and a spectacular fast one ‘Fara al mis spada’ from Tigrane. The first half, mainly religious works, was less exciting, though the Nisi Dominus had more variety than the Stabat Mater, Jaroussky is coming up to 50, but his voice still sounds very strong, able to do the complex runs, the lyrical phrasing, and the ability to ride the orchestra when needed. As I have said before, this sort of music is a combination of what you might normally expect in the way of musical enjoyment from a concert and an Olympic athlete going through their paces, and Jaroussky was certainly at the Olympic level -as were Artaserse, snapping, biting and crackling through the music. There were two encores, both remarkably sung and played. The capacity audience would have had him there all night if left to their devices.
It’s a lovely theatre as well, built in 1913 – see photos. I am going there again on Thursday.
