BREMF – GAIA – Three Intermedi for a Living Planet

This bold project was extremely (too?) ambitious. The music, from that first sumptuous Josquin motet to the final Gabrieli ‘Salve Regina’ was wonderful. The choirs, BREMF Consort of Voices, Onde Sonore, Lacock Scholars and BREMF Community Choir, all sounded well-rehearsed and confidently coped with any choreography. Matthew Pochin’s Orfeo was outstanding. The dancers were stylish and convincing, if sometimes obscured. They were supported by The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble and an excellent continuo quartet. Gawain Glenton reached dazzling heights on his cornett. Unfortunately time constraints meant that the accompanying back-projected film dazzled too, and this was a blinding distraction.

CODA: Superhuman effort greatly improved the presentation for the second performance but film is expensive and would need vast funds to match the music in quality.

St Bartholomew’s Church, 12 November 2016

Rating: