17 Dec 2024
The Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists ushered in Christmas in Milan, Frankfurt, Hamburg and London with works by two giants of European sacred music: Johann Sebastian Bach and Marc-Antoine Charpentier.
The acclaimed French baroque conductor Christophe Rousset made his Monteverdi Choir debut, bringing Gallic verve to Charpentier's exquisite music.
A refined festive celebration...Rousset brought Gallic elegance and refinement to Charpentier…the orchestra played dextrously…Every detail could be heard in St Martin-in-the-Fields.
The Times (London) ★★★★
Joyous and immaculate festive programme...Under the baton of Christophe Rousset, the Monteverdis sounded exquisite in a celebration of Advent that balanced reflection with exultation…Purity of line and detailed counterpoint, both vocal and instrumental, were immaculate.
The Guardian (London) ★★★★
Reassuring confirmation that...the Choir remains one of the world’s top professional choral ensembles...Rousset is in his element in this music, and outstanding players of the English Baroque Soloists – notably Rachel Chaplin, oboe and Liz Walker, flute - responded to his nuanced direction with appropriate festive verve.
Hugh Canning, Operalogue (London)
[The music] was enlivened by a broader palette of articulations, including pungent, non-vibrato long notes, fleet-footed short notes and assertive accents. The strings created a beautifully earthy sound…Passages of ornamentation sounded spontaneous and tasteful; the group’s excellent articulation extended to the singers’ clear renditions of the words.
New York Times (Hamburg)
A fresh sense of artistic renewal…the ensemble took the audience on an enchanting musical journey, showcasing their exceptional artistry and energy… Rousset’s interpretation stood out for its vitality, elegance, and emotional depth, leaving a lasting impression on all present.
OperaWire (Hamburg)
Rousset leaned into gentle seduction, charm, and elegance from the outset…[the music] danced, almost flirted with the audience…sensuous and opulent.
Hamburger Abendblatt (Hamburg)
Lighter, more dance-like...Rousset brought a French elegance to Bach.
NRC Handelsblad (Hamburg)
The MCO] revealed no such weak points…homogenous…finely choregraphed…Rousset’s interpretations of Charpentier's Christmas Mass and the two Bach cantatas succeed in places in an exemplary manner.
NZZ (Hamburg)
The program was festive yet delightfully unconventional and highly effective…The choir, numbering 18 singers, delivered perfect intonation…That all solos emerged naturally from within the choir is not uncommon in early music, but it remains a striking advantage for the cohesion of such performances.
Frankfurter Rundschau (Frankfurt)
Two hours of musical delight...the Monteverdi Choir displayed such effortless virtuosity...leaving the audience in awe.
Musica (La Scala)
St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg
Alte Opera, Frankfurt
La Scala, Milan
