“But it was the entire picture, created effortlessly by Labadie, that was so impressive here. His moulding of the textures was insightful, the velveteen softness of the cornets and sackbuts never a threat to the soft-spoken strings, the interplay of the echoing violins and centre stage tutti a telling amplification of the dramatic narrative.
It moved like the wind, Labadie often treating the cadence of one number as a direct springboard to the next. But never in a way that rocked the music’s composure and stability. Pin-sharp detail counted as much as eloquent paragraphs. The dances danced.”
Ken Walton, The Scotsman, 16 August 2019
“Performing with sparkle and sway, the English Concert, under the baton of Canadian conductor Bernard Labadie, along with a stellar trio of soloists, gave a splendid concert performance of Gluck’s Orfeo and Euridice. Opening with a crisp sound, Labadie began with quick, nimble movements, before settling into a smoother style. There was an excellent balance between choir and orchestra, with both producing a rich, honeyed timbre. The chorus, as the furies, were almost shouting at the start of Act Two, while accompanied by rough and ready, striking string chords. Moving on the scene two, tinkling harp playing – used to represent Orfeo’s lyre – was softly accompanied by pizzicato strings, and the oboe playing in Orfeo’s “Che puro ciel” was beautifully rounded. There was indeed – as per part of the aria’s translation -‘sweet, enchanting harmony’ displayed in the orchestra, with little bubbles and flourishes underpinned by a steady continuo.”
Miranda Heggie, The Herald Scotland, 16 August 2019
” Labadie gave the dance of the Frenzies a startling rhythmic energy, and teased out the colours of Gluck’s wonderful score, such as the doleful sound of the two horns, as plangent as a funeral bell. In the wonderful scene in the Elysian fields, the players relished Gluck’s amazing inventiveness, the warblings of flute and solo cellist evoking the scene of pastoral bliss. The chorus of the English Concert made a keenly focused, expressive sound in their laments for Euridice’s death, and jubilation at the happy ending.”
Ivan Hewett, The Telegraph, 19 August 2019
“The big virtue here was the music’s clear beauty, lovingly conveyed under the conductor Bernard Labadie.”
Geoff Brown, The Times, 19 August 2019
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