Canberra Youth
Orchestra
Canberra Choral
Society
Canberra Children’s
Choir
Seasoned Voices
Llewellyn Hall 29
June 2019
Reviewed by Len Power
Playing to a packed Llewellyn Hall, this huge production of
Carl Orff’s popular ‘Carmina Burana’ gave audiences exactly what they were
seeking – a spectacular night of great music, superbly played and sung.
The text consists of 24 poems from a 19th century
edition of 247 poems dating from the 11th Century, mostly in secular
Latin verse. The topics covered by these
poems reflect aspects of life that haven’t changed over the centuries – love of
fortune and wealth, the impact of the seasons and the sensual pleasures and
dangers of drinking, gluttony and lust.
First performed in Germany in 1937, it has become one of the
most popular works in the classical repertoire, helped enormously by the familiarity
for audiences of the opening and closing poem, ‘O Fortuna’, in movies,
television and commercials.
This performance, conducted by Leonard Weiss, saw the stage
of the Llewellyn Hall filled to capacity with musicians and singers. The orchestra’s playing was dramatic, edgy,
powerful and very enjoyable.
 |
| Andrew O'Connor |
The three solo singers met the demands of the score very
well. Andrew O’Connor, baritone, was
especially impressive with the quiet ‘Omnia Sol Temperat’ and the dramatic ‘Ego
sum abbas’.
 |
| Rachael Duncan |
Rachael Duncan, soprano,
sang a very fine ‘In Trutina’ and her high notes for the Dulcissime’ were truly
spectacular.
 |
| Tobias Cole |
In ‘Olim Lacus Colueram’, Tobias
Cole as the roasted swan expressing his dismay at his fate, was very funny as
well as giving a fine vocal performance.
It must have been an Australian swan as Tobias Cole sported a black
feather boa for his performance.
The singing by the Canberra Choral Society under the
direction of Dan Walker was colourful and accurate. The words could be heard clearly throughout –
not easy to achieve with latin verse and the demands of the music. The Canberra Children’s Choir and Seasoned
Voices also performed their pieces very well.
This was a fine performance of ‘Carmina Burana’ and the performers
received a deservedly appreciative response from the audience at the end.
Photos by Peter Hislop
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.