(Left: Lynelle
Kenned)
Durban’s fabulous Baroque 2000 delighted
its supporters with a concert which was a little bit different and included
some very special treats. (Review by Keith Millar)
The Mariannhill Church of the Monastery was
the place to be last Sunday afternoon (June 30, 2019) when Durban’s fabulous
Baroque 2000 delighted its supporters with a concert which was a little bit
different and included some very special treats.
To start with, it was the first time that
the ensemble gave a Historically Informed Performance. This is an approach to
the performance of classical music, which aims to be faithful to the technique,
manner and style of the musical era in which a work was originally conceived.
To this end, the artists performed on
period instruments which were stringed with gut (sourced from sheep) and tuned
to a pitch of 415. The result is a much mellower sound without the sharp edge
apparent from metal strings. The difference is particularly apparent when the
strings are plucked.
Baroque 2000 claims to be only the second
orchestra in South Africa to offer a Historically Informed Performance – and if
this was the catalyst for their exquisite and joyful performance on Sunday, I
say bravo to them and let’s have more.
The main treat on the day was the performance
of the soloist, Cape Town soprano Lynelle Kenned.
Last seen in Durban a few years ago when
she appeared in the role of Maria in the Playhouse’s production of The Sound Of Music, this young lady has
made a name for herself as an actor, a musical theatre star, a TV presenter,
and an all-round media personality.
It was, of course, as a soprano that she
appeared at the Baroque 2000 concert and what a sublime and satisfying
performance she delivered.
Kenned is a slight young lady but delivers
plenty of power with her exquisitely nuanced and pure voice and she displays
supreme poise and confidence on the stage.
From George Frideric Handel she sang the
Aria Lascia chío pianga from the
opera Rinaldo, Ritotna o caro from the opera Rodelinda,
and the beautiful and difficult to sing Tornami
from the opera Alcina. From Johan
Sebastian Bach she sang Hochster from
the cantata BWV51.
Lynelle Kenned’s was a performance to
savour and remember for a long time.
The other special treat on the programme
was the performance of the Sonata No.3 Op 1 by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de
Saint-Georges.
Bologne is a fascinating character. He was
born to a wealthy plantation owner in the French colony of Guadeloupe and his
wife’s 16 year old African slave. From these humble beginnings he rose to
become a champion fencer, classical composer, virtuoso violinist, and conductor
of the leading symphony orchestra in Paris. He is best remembered as the first
classical composer of African ancestry and is sometimes referred to as “The
Black Mozart”.
(Right:
Refiloe Olifant)
The soloist for his Sonata No. 3 was the
popular violinist Refiloe Olifant (known to her friends as Fifi). She has
enjoyed spells with orchestras in Durban and Cape Town where she is currently
based. So it was a pleasure to have her back in Durban to offer a robust
performance of this work.
She enjoyed supportive and lively
accompaniment from Cape Town’s Eric Dippenaar on the harpsichord.
Other works performed by the ensemble in
this full and varied programme included the Overture from the opera Rinaldo by Handel, two pieces from the Fairy Queen by Henry Purcell, and two
dances from Alcina by Handel.
All in all, it was another concert which
offered a varied selection of music of high quality performed by the very
accomplished Baroque 2000.
Baroque 2000’s next concert will be held in
September - the exact date to be announced.
Tickets R150 at the door. Ample and safe parking
available. The Monastery Tea Garden will be open for coffee/tea and light
lunches.
For more information contact Michel
Schneuwly on 031 312 5539 or 082 3035241. Alternatively mail him at sursouth@iafrica.com
– Keith Millar
Project
sponsored by: Die Rupert Musiekstigting.
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