Review: Hallé Orchestra and Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus *****

Sometimes the blurb is right, the hype justified: "a superb cast of soloists in one of the greatest English oratorios", the media information proclaimed.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Nov 2010, 15:14 BST
Updated 12th Nov 2010, 15:14 BST

In the opening Jesu, Maria, the light orchestration allowed Andrew Kennedy, a superb Geronitus, to demonstrate his purest "church tenor" tone, but he was just at home in the agonised passages, battling against fear and a fortissimo orchestra.

Not to be outdone, Mark Stone filled the role of Priest with a breadth of tone that was effortless and Stephanie Marshall was less charismatic but just as authoritative in completing this strong trio.

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And what of the choir? The semi-chorus has a big role in this work and to sound more professional, it needs to blend more, but as a large choir, the Philharmonic Chorus continues to make progress. In charge of it all was Hall's former choral director, James Burton. No wonder the choir and orchestra were such an integrated unit.

Sheffield City Hall