Performance: NZ Chamber Orchestra

Concert Chamber

Reviewer: Tara Werner

Given the programme content of popular arias from Handel and Mozart it was sad to see such a paltry audience for Friday night's concert.

The New Zealand Chamber Orchestra has always maintained a high standard on its all-too-infrequent visits here, so the poor attendance must have been disappointing for both the musicians and the soloist, Australian soprano Emma Matthews.

Considering her calibre it was surprising that Matthews did not really settle fully into a selection of Handel arias, and sometimes the orchestra overwhelmed her.

A case in point was the opening aria Combatti da forte from Rinaldo where she struggled to be heard, and later the coloratura passages in Da tempeste il legno infranto from Giulio Cesare caused her difficulties. But other arias showed a gentle lyricism, such as the famous Lascia chi'o pianga , and she was more than a match for Donald Armstrong's violin accompaniment in Bel piacere.

The singer seemed more at home on this occasion with Mozart and her two arias from Le Nozze di Figaro highlighted a dab hand in characterisation.

Meantime, the orchestra was in good spirits throughout and having the first and second violins opposite each other with one oboe either side gave a good sense of balance in Handel's Concerto in F.

Familiar music indeed, since the two outer movements were a direct steal by the composer from his Water Music Suite. One of Mozart's early symphonies, No 20 in D major K133, revealed a little gem in the form of its melodious andante, with the strings and solo flute beautifully coordinated.

The programme ended on a high note, literally, with Matthews reaching for the skies in Mozart's Il Sogno di Scipione , both soloist and orchestra providing a dramatic conclusion to the concert.