Handel & Haydn finishes with a flourish

During their bicentennial season, H&H have brough out all the "big guns." Last month was Elijah, and the final concert of the season was Haydn's The Creation. In additon to the always-splendid H&H chorus, this wortk requires top-notch soloists, and we were not disappointed. Tenor Jeremy Uriel, a newcomer to H&H but not to the concert stage, was a fine Uriel. Sarah Tynan, a British soprano, was another newcomer to the H&H, but also a seasoned operatic performer. Her voice soared but the words were often lost in her trills. Heading the cast as Raphael and Adam was bass-baritone Matthew Brook. His expressive facial gestures added a touch of whimsy to the performance as he described the arrival on earth of the nimble stag and the burrowing worm. All three voices were sublime, as was the chorus. The H+H orchestra gave a flawless performance, and we got to hear featured the forte piano played by Ian Watson accompanying many of the recitals. A fitting ending to a celebratory season.