NICK RETURNS TO BOSTON'S HANDEL & HAYDN SOCIETY FOR 'MESSIAH'
MESSIAH WITH BOSTON’S HANDEL & HAYDN
Photo: Robert Torres
“From its first words, “Comfort Ye,” Friday at Symphony Hall H+H shared a HIP banquet of musical delights, an array of immortal arias and delightful choruses in a work embracing both profound anxiety and resounding joy…A great deal of my enjoyment emanated from the work of conductor Jonathan Cohen; he led with enthusiasm and brio from a small harpsichord. His lively tempi felt just perfect, and the nearly three hours sped by thanks to the stunning musicianship of the singers and instrumentalists…The four superb soloists had drawn me out to hear this concert. I have carefully followed tenor Nicholas Phan (I am a Phan fan) for two decades, from his early recording of songs and song cycles of Benjamin Britten. He opened the evening with “Comfort ye,” not only comforting but also smiting with his expressiveness. In “Every valley shall be exalted” he gave a virtual a master class in how to sing a melisma…”.