Seen & Heard
‘Saturday evening’s event consisted of a concert performance (semi-staged) of Turnage’s infamous opera, Greek. Here, indeed, was a performance in which everything fell into place. The London Sinfonietta re-affirmed its place at the top of the list of London-based instrumental ensembles by managing to sound as if they played this music every day.
If Greek retains much of its capacity to shock, its primary purpose seems now to stimulate. Of the vocal soloists, it is difficult to single out any one for special praise. Baritone Roderick Williams was convincing as the narrator Eddy; soprano Mary Plazas was breathtaking, displaying a clear, well-rounded tone and portraying her parts powerfully. Richard Chew, another baritone, acted superbly (the East End gait perfectly caught). Rebecca de Pont Davies (mezzo), acted and sang well... Jac van Steen conducted with confidence.’
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