It has only been three years since the Colorado Symphony’s last presentation of Carl Orff’s massive 1937 choral extravaganza, “Carmina Burana.”
But as Friday evening’s enthusiastic, sold-out audience in Boettcher Concert Hall made clear, it never seems to be too soon to bring back this perennial favorite.
While most of the assembled musical forces were the same as last time, a key difference was the figure on the podium — first-time guest conductor Antoni Wit, who heads the Warsaw (Poland) Philharmonic Orchestra.
The veteran, internationally respected maestro lived up to his fine reputation, delivering a forceful, up-tempo performance bursting with rhythmic urgency, visceral energy, and, when appropriate, unbridled ferocity.
Also making their Denver debuts were three vocal soloists, all with strong resumes.
Most notable was Korean-American baritone Hyung Yun, who has appeared at the Santa Fe Opera and other major opera companies. He effectively conveyed the work’s ever-shifting emotions, singing with expressive power and unwavering clarity.
Though she seemed a bit strained in her uppermost notes, soprano Stacey Tappan was effective overall. She was not helped by her positioning in an upper balcony to the rear of the orchestra that inevitably made her sound far away.
The Colorado Symphony Chorus was as impressive as always, singing with its usual well-honed precision and intonation and displaying keen responsiveness to Wit. Also strong was the Colorado Children’s Chorale.
Providing an ideal complement to “Carmina Burana” was the evening’s little-known opener, the Suite No. 2 from Albert Roussel’s ballet, “Bacchus et Ariane,” Op. 43 — a 1931 work with much the same primal power and rhythmic drive.
The concert will be repeated at 2:30 p.m. today.
Kyle MacMillan: 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com
