Le Cercle de L'Harmonie, Rhorer, Barbican Hall | reviews, news & interviews
Le Cercle de L'Harmonie, Rhorer, Barbican Hall
Le Cercle de L'Harmonie, Rhorer, Barbican Hall
An average evening of Mozart redeemed by soprano Sally Matthews
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Jeremie Rhorer: A fine musical pedigree but a lacklustre performance
While we are far from lacking in top early music ensembles in the UK, there’s no denying that the French have a special affinity for this repertoire. While The Academy of Ancient Music and The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment are virtuosic champions of the genre, if we were all stuck in a sinking hot air balloon I’d lose both before sacrificing Les Musiciens du Louvre, Les Talens Lyriques, Le Concert d'Astrée or Les Arts Florissants. So it was with anticipation that I made my way to the Barbican last night to hear the UK debut of Le Cercle de l’Harmonie, the newest French orchestra on the block.
While we are far from lacking in top early music ensembles in the UK, there’s no denying that the French have a special affinity for this repertoire. While The Academy of Ancient Music and The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment are virtuosic champions of the genre, if we were all stuck in a sinking hot air balloon I’d lose both before sacrificing Les Musiciens du Louvre, Les Talens Lyriques, Le Concert d'Astrée or Les Arts Florissants. So it was with anticipation that I made my way to the Barbican last night to hear the UK debut of Le Cercle de l’Harmonie, the newest French orchestra on the block.
There’s no denying the quality of Matthews's voice, which spun smoothly over Mozart’s generous vocal lines
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