THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 7, 1995 TAG: 9512070042
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: MUSIC REVIEW
SOURCE: BY PAUL SAYEGH, SPECIAL TO THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
THE EARLY-MUSIC group Capriole presented a program devoted to the French Baroque composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier on Monday at the Williamsburg Regional Library, under the direction of artistic director Gayle Johnson. The evening focused on Charpentier's Christmas music and included his instrumental settings of French carols, as well as his ``Christmas Eve Mass.''
The carols were sung by soprano Susanne Peck and tenor Neil Farrell. Farrell was also billed elsewhere in the program as a ``haute-contre,'' a term describing a voice that is poised between tenor and alto and combines characteristics of both. Peck's clear, pure sound was especially lovely in the ``Nativity Pastorale'' that concluded the program, and her light embellishments were delightful.
Since Charpentier used the carols as a foundation for his Mass, Johnson interspersed the carol settings and Mass movements. The Old Dominion University Madrigal Singers, prepared by Lee Teply, performed in the Mass. At their best, they exhibited clarity and lightness, and it was only in the more complex portions of the score that their sound betrayed their lack of experience.
The evening concluded with a performance of Charpentier's ``Nativity Pastorale.'' Here, the excellence of the musical performance was offset by a tedious attempt at ``semi-staging.'' The latter consisted of several bales of hay strewn about the stage, and the addition of dancers Paige Whitley-Bauguess and Thomas Baird. Traffic control seemed to be a major problem with Peck being ushered off and on to make room for the dancers.
Throughout the evening, the playing of Capriole was a pleasure, so much that one wished they were on stage rather than relegated to one side of the auditorium. A more traditional concert presentation, even if less ``authentic,'' might have worked better, especially with such glorious music. ILLUSTRATION: MUSIC REVIEW
Capriole at the Williamsburg Regional Library, Dec. 4.
by CNB