The Falkirk Tryst Festival’s concert this year was a highly ambitious one that attracted a packed and hugely enthusiastic audience to the Town Hall on Sunday. This is a demanding undertaking for any amateur group, and it is encouraging to see that the tradition of choral singing is alive and well in the town.
At first it seemed the hall might be too small for such a powerful work, but new conductor Razvan Luculescu controlled the performance beautifully, with great attention to dynamics and phrasing. The volume in the Dies Irae did make its proper effect, and the spatial separation, with extra trumpets at the back of the balcony, sounded superb. The fine chorus of near seventy voices was ably supported by an accomplished and highly disciplined orchestra of youthful players.
The soloists made a good team, led by the beautifully-phrased lyric soprano of Roxana Nite. She dominated the closing Libera Me but also blended well with the more powerful alto Aura Twarowska, a true Verdian voice. Korean tenor Sanggyoul Lee delivered an impassioned Ingemisco, while bass Alexandru Onea projected good dark tone in Mors Stupebit.
© Copyright Opera Scotland 2024
Site by SiteBuddha