Review: Resurgam and The Irish Baroque Orchestra directed by Christophe Rousset
Last year the Festival's Classical Music strand had a Baroque theme and Susan Proudfoot has continued that theme even more strongly this year. The first Baroque performance took place last night in the wonderful setting of St. Canice's Cathedral where Resurgam, Irish choir extraordinaire, along with The Irish Baroque Orchestra under the direction of Christophe Rousset performed some masterpieces by Handel and Mondonville.
The programme: George Frideric Handel, Dixit Dominus, Jean-Joseph De Mondonville, Grand Motets: Jubilate Deo & In Exitu Israel.
What a beautiful way to spend an evening. The Irish Baroque Orchestra and Resurgam choir created magnificent music that filled the cathedral. From gentle and sweet sounds to robust and booming vocals from the choir, we were treated to a magical musical range. Christophe Rousset directed with vigour and enthusiasm and the music was faultless. The audience enjoy something a lot more when it's obvious that the performers love what they do and last night you really could tell from how they moved on stage to the music that they loved it, particularly the choristers. In fact when it was over, as I left, I heard one of the male choristers singing a few lines by himself in the back room of the cathedral.
Listening to Baroque music is made all the more real for me by the choice of venue. Hearing it in St. Canice's Cathedral I could feel the building come alive and the souls stirring beneath the floor and behind the walls with the music. This was more than just a concert to me, it was an experience. It came to life, it was now and it was real.
The Resurgam and The Irish Baroque Orchestra concert took place on 6th August at 8.15pm in St. Canice's Cathedral. Unfortunately it is not to be repeated this year but keep an eye out for these performers next year. Christophe Rousset is an acclaimed harpsichordist as well as a world-renowned conductor and also had a solo concert in St. John's Priory today at 1p.m.
We're Social