Soloists of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, playing on period instruments, and with singers led by tenor Mark Padmore, made the bold choice to perform Bach’s St Matthew Passion to a packed Royal Festival Hall without a conductor. Despite the ensemble’s back catalogue of successful collaborations with celebrated conductors, the decision was a good one. The performance was a demonstration of superb musicianship and communication, seeing instrumentalists lead from even the back of the string sections; notable were bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku and viola-player Jan Schlapp, both of whom played with expression and presence while accommodating for the soloists. The small cast of singers, who rotated around the stage for their respective solos, were just as unified in this respect; lacking cues from a conductor, they communicated through breath instead and recitative passages felt as natural as conversation.
There was a good balance struck between formality and theatricality from the start. Padmore’s performance as the Evangelist did not disappoint. Celebrated for his interpretations of Bach, he was confident and commanding, and was fittingly charismatic during his recitative passages, as was Stephan Loges as Christ. However, most memorable of the singers was the tender and engaging voice of soprano Fflur Wyn whose aria, daringly soft at times, fiery and strong at others, had warmth and pathos.
The orchestra, split into two ensembles (led by Matthew Truscott and Alison Bury), was arrestingly alive and impeccably balanced throughout. They were at their best during the arias, in which the instrumentalists’ skills as chamber musicians were fully demonstrated. Truscott’s solo during mezzo Paula Murrihy’s aria was intensely emotive and had a sensitivity that was unmatched; it overshadowed Bury’s later solo, which was unfortunately uncommunicative. Bass-baritone Matthew Brook seemed to struggle to catch her eye and, for a moment, the performance lost its intensity. Richard Tunnicliffe’s viola da gamba playing also added a brightness and vigour to the ensemble.
