Handel Opera At Chicago Symphony

[richardfinegold]

A little different concert last night. Nicholas Kramer conducted a reduced ensemble. Amanda Forsyth and Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen sang several Handel arias. The second half was Beethoven Elegy Op. 118 with the CSO chorus-all 75 of them-and the Mozart Coronation Mass K.317.. The first half also featured the Suite #2 from the Water Music and the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba.
The reflective Beethoven was unknown to me, and I wasn’t very conversant with the Mozart, which sounds like WAM on autopilot until the magic happens in the concluding Agnus Dei.
This concert was HIPP oriented-vibrato was strictly verboten-so I was wondering if the Chorus outnumbering the orchestra in a 3:1 ratio was standard practice in the late 18th century?

[smittims]

As far as I know the size of available choirs amd orchestras varied considerably in the 18th century, and orchestration was often adjusted to cope. I believe there are letters of Handel asking for extra oboes and bassoons. When Neal Zaslaw did his research for the Oiseau-Lyre Mozart recordings he discovered that there were often as many as four bassoons doubling the bass line, though not mentioned in the score.

I've heard Nicholas Kraemer on and off since his harpsichord days with the Academy of Ancient Music . I first saw him conduct at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in 1981. Earler this year he conducted a moving S.John Passion in Manchester with the BBC Philharmonic (so that would be non-HIPP) which was broadcast live on Radio 3.

I haven't ,so far as I can recall, heard that Beethoven op.118. Does anyone know it? There are some recordings on YouTube.

[richardfinegold]

I haven't ,so far as I can recall, heard that Beethoven op.118. Does anyone know it? There are some recordings on YouTube.

I didn’t find much when I searched for recordings.

[Pulcinella]

Richard
Do you really mean Arias?
It must have been a long night if they got through several operas.


I can edit the title if you want.

[richardfinegold]

Richard
Do you really mean Arias?
It must have been a long night if they got through several operas.


I can edit the title if you want.

We are tough in Chicago . 18 straight hours of Handel-no problem.

[Pulcinella]

We are tough in Chicago . 18 straight hours of Handel-no problem.

I'll leave it then.
Next year, The Ring in one sitting.