The allure of the holidays blasts through the most enchanting melodies in what marks the company’s 148th Christmas concert at their home venue. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the performance, to let us know if this classical rendition truly was a joy to the world.
There’s something about this time of the year that no one can explain, yet everyone understands. Perhaps it’s the intoxicating warmth of the season. Perhaps, the sweet remnants of a dear old memory. Or perhaps, those endearing words of hope and kindness we once were taught on the silver screen, learning than when Christmas comes, every good deed counts for extra. Whatever the reason, it can’t be denied that the holiday spirit has permeated into our hearts – bringing out that calm, carefree sense of jaunt that makes us believe that no matter the struggles, there’s always room for one more dream.
Nothing else stands stronger for these dreams than celebrating the wholesome, childlike illusion this period is truly all about. And when it comes to that, the Royal Albert Hall certainly knows how to bring out that sparkle in spades. Magic meets magic through a most exciting all-festive programming suitable for every kind of visitor. But one of them emanates a different sort of gleam; probably, the shiniest of them all – stemming from a charming tradition that not only has become a classic for this period, but also defined and perpetuated the venue’s history for almost a century and a half now.
The Royal Choral Society returned to motherland last night with their annual Christmas concert. A treat to the ears and even a more fulfilling gift to the soul, the so-called amateur team shows, in fact, nothing dabbler in their performance – regaling us with a genuinely exquisite interpretation of delightful group pieces, operatic people-pleasers and audience-accompanied winter carols; all of them, played with astonishing bedazzlement despite my own contribution to the latter.
Conducted by Richard Cooke (also behind some of the pieces’ arrangements), this rhapsodic voyage has proven to be, in all fairness, one of the most bewitching and intoxicating events of the season – drawing out the thrilling zest of the holidays by creating a most captivating experience that mixes technical quality with pure artistic inspiration. Also featuring a special appearance by acting darling Adjoa Anhoh (regaling us with beautifully executed poetry renditions), the whole gig is a much fulfilling journey of true spectacularity, stemming solely from the emotionally electrifying power of music.
With most of its repertoire played with both graceful delicacy and staggering vigour, the highest praise goes to both the vocal ensemble and soloist soprano Jennifer France – giving us a competent demonstration of her coloratura skills through Handle’s Messiah‘s aria O daughter of Zion, but bringing the house down with her magnetic dramatism while performing Puccini’s romantic hit O mio babbino caro. In addition, Crooke shows great understanding of both pace and phrasing during the instrumental snippets (those carried out by the Royal Phillarmonic), with almost all of them done with impeccable style.
However, this does not apply to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker‘s excerpts, most sadly – as The Waltz of the Flowers lacks the wholesome sensitivity and fragile sense of freedom its melodious tunes need to fully take off. At the same time, the exhilarating Trepak loses part of its rapture by giving excessive protagonism to the woodwind section, instead of the more even orchestral layering we’re accustomed to listen to.
Regardless, none of those small imperfections will blemish, by any chance, the beauty of what’s all in all been a triumph in every aspect. Joyful, appealing, elegant and, on top of it, inspiring, The Royal Choral Society continues to deepen its imprint on the RAH’s past, present and future by keeping its flame alive through passion, care and unquestionable talent – enhancing these revelries’ natural enticement by bringing it up its flavour, triggering back those wondrous chills of our very first Nowell.
Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall plays until 27 December. Upcoming shows and tickets are available on the following link.