Star-Ledger: ‘NJSO makes Handel’s familiar ‘Messiah’ feel fresh’
The Star-Ledger writes:
This past weekend, in countless theaters in the Tri-state area — and all over the world — people flocked to see another installment in a series of blockbusters that have dazzled millions with their unique mix of drama, music and religious themes.
Oh, and a lot of people went to see the new "Star Wars" movie as well.
Handel's oratorios were serious extravaganzas back the 18th century, but his 6th in this genre, "Messiah," is one of those rare works of western art whose ubiquity and universality actually trumps George Lucas's sci-fi serials.
"Messiah" has been a box office smash for 273 years. In the New York City area alone, there were at least 20 versions of "Messiah" being performed last week, and if someone could count all professional and sing-along "Messiahs," from Carnegie Hall to your local church, it would probably rival — if not top — the 4,000 screens "The Force Awakens" is currently playing on.
At the New Jersey Symphony, the tradition of "Messiah" dates back only as far back as 1976. Over the weekend, they performed the 140-minute piece with the Montclair State University Singers, under the baton of Jacques Lacombe, the orchestra's outgoing Music Director.
With its shrewd blend of great melodies and gobbits of biblical text, "Messiah" is hard to spoil. But, it's also hard to stand out, given the number of fine versions available on recordings. Some orchestras go for ornamenting the work with super-sized choruses or celebrity singers; also in fashion these days is historical authenticity, with period instruments and usually brisker tempos.
Lacombe and his band went with a straightforward, pared-down style that suits them (and that allowed them to send over some of their musicians to accompany the New Jersey Ballet in "The Nutcracker" in Morristown). The 31 musicians on hand adorned no Baroque trappings; they simply played Handel's music clearly and mostly cleanly. Lacombe's tempi were assured ...
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Mezzo Adriana Zabala brought great conviction to her number from Part 2, "Thou art gone up on high," and she was accompanied beautifully by Concert Master Eric Wyrick's violin-playing. Soprano Celena Shafer uncorked gorgeous top notes in the aria that opens Part III. The young Montclair State University Singers sang with precision and an ethereal tone throughout.
During the famous "Hallelujah" section in Part 2, the audience usually stands to sing; and while most of those in attendance at New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Sunday did rise, few raised their voices. That meant that the most rousing passage in the performance was the finale. The string section shimmered, and Lacombe kept the balance of voices and instruments just right, creating a Wagnerian swirl of "Amens" that bristled with energy and emotion. If nothing else the performance was a reminder of why "Messiah" will no doubt continue to be heard for a long, long time ... and perhaps one day, even in galaxies far, far away.