26-05-2025
Auckland Choral captivates with magnificent Verdi's Requiem performance
Mezzo Katie Trigg 's Liber scriptus was graced with a shapeliness and intelligence that would mark all her contributions, joining in harmonious duet with soprano Morag Atchison for the Recordare. Atchison, in solo flight, was a force to be reckoned with, right through to the triumph of her Libera Me.
Despite Jared Holt's musicianly phrasing, one longed for more Italianate robustness and less strain in his Ingemisco, in which Verdi's repeated directives of 'very sweetly' were not achieved.
Teddy Tahu Rhodes was a disappointment, especially when memories remain from nine years ago of Joel Amosa's quiet dignity and beautifully turned lines in this work and venue.
Rhodes' vibrato-laden voice, combined with a coarseness of tone, perpetrated major damage on Verdi's lines; the generally well-handled quartet offerings were occasionally marred by it, with a particularly serious lapse in the Offertorio.
Verdi's Requiem is one of the big sings of the choral world and rank upon rank of fired-up choristers realised every inflection that conductor Grodd dealt out to them, splitting into two choirs for an impressive Sanctus.
