Victoria Chorale and Art of Sound Orchestra: Mozart v Salieri
Melbourne Recital Centre, April 27
★★★½
Most famously captured in Peter Shaffer’s multi-Oscar-winning 1984 film, Amadeus, Mozart’s sudden death aged 35 was long fabled to have been at the hands of his compositional contemporary Antonio Salieri.
Salieri was supposedly driven to murder by inconsolable envy of his rival’s talents, but this popular rumour has been all but debunked today, with little evidence that foul play was behind Mozart’s untimely demise. However, that’s not to say that Mozart and Salieri weren’t competitive, albeit at the level of frenemies rather than mortal foes.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
In a theatrical evening celebrating both composers, the Victoria Chorale and Art of Sound Orchestra imagined a light-hearted smackdown between these classical titans that also aimed to dispel the murder myth that besmirched Salieri’s name.
Across three rounds – arias, masses and symphonies, including a terrific account of Mozart’s 39th – the two composers faced off in a battle to decide the greater genius, with several pastiche recitatives by Andrew Perkins and additional narration by conductor Mario Dobernig marshalling the proceedings.
In the guise of Salieri, Mozart and their respective spouses, kitted out in suitable period garb, a quartet of top-quality Australian singers – soprano Janet Todd, mezzo Sally-Anne Russell, tenor Nick Seidenham and baritone Peter Tregear – brought this drama to life.
Todd’s rich, flexible vocal prowess was a particular joy to hear, most impressively showcased in the coloratura pyrotechnics of Martern aller Arten, from Mozart’s opera Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail.
This concert’s most impressive feat, however, was the way its inventive curation shone new light on such ubiquitous repertoire. Despite Mozart’s popular kudos, it proved a surprisingly close-run competition, with Salieri’s knack for musical storytelling at times outpacing Mozart’s less-complicated approach.
With just a few rough edges at times, this largely accomplished, playful and resoundingly entertaining evening was a prime example of the new frontiers revealed when innovation is applied to the traditional concert experience.
Source: Read Full Article