Purcell: airs and dances from King Arthur, Fairy Queen, The Tempest
Handel: arias and dances from Il Pastor Fido, Terpsicore, Alcina
La Nuova Musica
Anna Dennis (soprano)
David Bates (director)
La Seine Musicale adds another new performing art complex to Paris after the Philharmonie. It locates on an island on the river Seine at the outskirt of Paris. The building design as a whole is spacious, tastefully decorated and comfortable. Good balance in terms of the hall acoustic and the right size for capacity. Instead of symphonic concerts, it focuses on Baroque performances and this concert by the La Nuova Musica makes a good introduction.
Despite signs of illness, Anna Dennis gave a tender and elegant rendition of 'fairest isle' from Purcell's King Arthur. The legato maintained and displayed a variety of vocal colours later in 'If love's a sweet passion' from the Fairy Queen. She gave an emotional account of 'The Plaint' also from the Fairy Queen, which recalled the same sentiments expressed in Dido's lament.
The dances were generally jolly, flamboyant and in a quick gallop. It began with an oboe driven dance swinging along followed by a majestic pastoral dance in the second movement. The third was a dialogue between violin and oboes whereas the final movement was a virtuosic display for the solo violin.
Though I thought the harpsichord could be added to give more contrast and support to the ensemble. Dennis sustained a bell like tone in her singing and being dramatic with the running to the top notes. It concluded with an emotional aria, Ah mio cor, from Handel's Alcina after a gallop to realise the torment.
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