One dependable facet of Denver’s holiday musical offerings each year is St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral’s presentation of “Messiah.”
This season’s edition took place Sunday evening before the usual capacity crowd, with audience members packed shoulder to shoulder in the church’s wooden pews.
Unlike some massive performances of George Frideric Handel’s ever-popular oratorio, this one featured the 35-voice Cathedral Choir and a 15- piece chamber orchestra assembled for the occasion.
Such compact forces offer a more intimate take on this piece, and the cathedral’s wood-lined sanctuary served as something of a sound box, effectively projecting the music in the building’s soaring spaces.
Conductor Stephen Tappe, the cathedral’s director of music, chose a significantly abridged, one-hour version of “Messiah,” focusing on the sections dealing with Christ’s birth and the anticipation leading up to it.
While such a shortened take no doubt makes the work more accessible, especially for children, it inevitably takes away from its substance and sweep.
That said, this dynamic, well-focused performance, with good dynamic control and apt pacing by Tappe, conveyed the oratori’s essential essence and power.
Particularly notable was the obviously well-rehearsed choir, which brought commendable energy and ebullience to its sections, ending the evening with a rousing take on the famed “Hallelujah” chorus.
The four main soloists — soprano Maureen Sorensson, alto Leslie Remmert-Soich, tenor Brendan Daly and bass Robert Gardner — all turned in solid performances.
Especially impressive was Gardner who put his pliant, dark-hued voice and nuanced dynamic shadings to particularly good use in the recitative, “For, Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth.”
Also notable was a surprise appearance by countertenor Nick Pepin, visiting from Portsmouth Cathedral in England. Remmert-Soich allowed him to take her first solo, “But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming,” and the sweet-voiced singer made the most of it.
Kyle MacMillan: 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com
