Director Jeffrey Thomas

BRILLIANT HANDEL ORATORIO COMPLETES ABS FESTIVAL

Nearing the close of its “Festival and Academy 2013” the American Bach Soloists outdid themselves once again July 19 in its presentation of Handel’s oratorio Esther, with full house at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. During his early years in England, Handel turned to Racine’s masque Esther for the seeds of what in his hands grew into a new genre -- the English oratorio. Because the Bishop of London forbade dramatic performances, Handel presented Esther in concert, to the delight of English audiences; and it became one of his most popular works.

Jeffrey Thomas, the exacting conductor of ABS, pulled out all the stops to showcase a glorious recreation of this towering work, drawing forth both power and nuance from the ensemble of over 25 singers and orchestra. In the Jewish tradition the tale of Esther is the basis for the celebration of Purim, the leading characters being Esther, the young Jewish wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus; Haman, chief advisor to the king; Mordecai, Esther’s cousin; and King Ahasuerus; Persian officers and Israelites also appear. It is Esther who, in appealing to Ahasuerus, saves her people from the murderous plotting of the vengeful Haman.

Many Academy students filled major roles beside ABS regulars, fitting in seamlessly. Of the 12 soloists, 9 were students. One would scarcely have suspected this in observing the level at which they performed. The drama of the recitatives and arias was enhanced by the chorus-- so polished, so precise-- charged with commenting on the events and with giving voice to secondary characters. This reviewer was reminded of the ancient Greek chorus.

Following an overture, featuring strings and two oboes playing three richly colored movements, the dramatic business opened with the evil Haman, embodied by the excellent young bass Benjamin Kazez decreeing “Pluck root and branch from out the land: Shall I the God of Israel fear?” The double basses and cellos formed a solid ground for his deep, expressive voice. Acting as Persian soldiers, the chorus then repeated Haman’s command, revealing themselves as conspiring with him.

Nola Richardson, the soprano playing the Second Israelite, delivered a charming aria, “Tune your harps to songs of praise!,” and her coloratura part was echoed by flute and harp in an intricate obbligato melody. Although powerful, Ms. Richardson’s voice was also flexible enough to negotiate the fluid passages. Handel was able to imbue his works with great humanity, enabling audiences to empathize with his characters, regardless of how formal or abstract the text might be. His music resonates with heartfelt emotion, whether soulful or joyous. For instance, countertenor William Sauerland, portraying the Third Israelite, issued the wrenching alarm “Haman has sent forth his decree: The sons of Israel all shall in one ruin fall,” followed by the chorus’s moving lament “Ye sons of Israel mourn, Ye never to your country shall return!”

Soprano Megan Chartrand sang the part of Esther with great skill and warmth, her aria “Tears assist me, pity moving, Justice cruel, fraud reproving,” in 6/8 time, was accompanied by two oboes whose beseeching melody wove around her words. Her voice is clear, controlled, beautiful, and expressive. The duet between Esther and King Ahasuerus, “Who calls my parting soul to death?” is one of the most touching, lyrical offerings in the second half of the oratorio, the strings’ soft, pulsing bowings intensifying the emotion.

In the chorus “He comes, he comes to end our woes,” two natural horns accompanied, adding their pungent sonorities to the orchestra’s firm support. These valveless “hunting horns” negotiated their part skillfully, echoing the orchestra’s swirling melodies for the words “earth trembles!”-- the chorus ending in a great fugue, each part (orchestra and chorus) delivered with impressive clarity of line.

Haman’s pleading aria, “Turn not O thy face away,” was accompanied by lyrically moving, sighing violins; while Esther responded with the aria “Flatt’ring tongue, no more I hear thee . . . Bloody wretch, no more I fear thee,” Ms. Chartrand cutting loose with impassioned bursts on the words “tyrant” and “bloody wretch” spurred the audience to the edge of their seats.

Throughout the entire work one was aware of the reliability of the bass instruments, the great basses, violone, and cellos, faithfully tracking dynamic nuances while enjoying the flawless support of bassoon, harpsichord and organ. These mainstays thus offered a perfect balance between faint timidity and strong, reassuring presence. Handel’s bass lines (arguably rivaled only by Bach’s) were indeed the foundation upon which
Esther unfolded. Steven Lehning, with his handsome eight-foot violone, leads the section with the confidence and sensitivity to be expected of a longtime ABS regular.

In the closing great chorus, a trumpet was added to punctuate the jubilance of triumph over evil: “Lord our enemy has slain” and “Let Israel songs of joy repeat.” Two bass singers, Andrew Padgett and Brian Mummert, proclaimed “Mount Lebanon his firs resigns, descend ye cedars, haste ye pines to build the temples of the Lord,” accompanied by trumpet and oboes. And at last the chorus sang, with orchestra, “For ever blessed by thy holy name, Let heav’n and earth his praise proclaim.” Just before the final few words, conductor Jeffrey Thomas brought the entire orchestra and chorus to a heartstopping Grand Pause, several seconds long, holding the audience spellbound one last time, before the release of completion.

Another ABS artistic triumph, and a lengthy standing ovation followed by the awed, grateful house.