(3 / 5)

An all Handel programme is what I’m needing right about now from Les Paladins and soprano Sandrine Piau. The Overture and a March from Ariodante would herald this one part concert. Les Paladins bring authenticity and pride to these period pieces, their tuning before the start was also considerable. Violinist Catherine Plattner had meaty moments throughout, though conductor and on harpsichord Jérôme Correas is the needle focus of the night. Together these two and the players evoke this era, the concert dubbed as ‘Enchantresses’ is rather fitting.

I dont think I’ve heard Sandrine Piau since 2008, with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales on the Messiaen centenary, doing Debussy. This was my introduction and I’ve gently followed ever since. An aria from Lotario was her opening gambit and it might not as enticed as much as expected. Piau voice is interesting, passages of deep focus and a restrained colour are evident. I wasnt so sure about the take on Piangerò la sorte mai from Giulio Cesare in Egitto, the embellishments give the singer the right to experiment in this wonderfully emotive piece. Piau left and the Concerto grosso in A, proved further the durability of the ensemble, its tricky and piffy dynamics are a highpoint.

Piau really came into her own with two arias from Alcina, next and at the end. This opera was proven more popular with Royal Opera and Opera North staging it. I’ve yet to see it fully, though if these arias stand on their own (and they do), this should be a potent experience. Piau’s acting also shone, this is a role I imagine she’s taken before. The psychological intensity is permeating from the stage, the beauty of this Handel never doubted in this opera, almost 300 years old. Il bistro maggio from Rinaldo also dazzled, though a more famous aria from this opera would follow on as a surprize.

The audience found it amusing that the Trio Sonata would have half of it not be performed. The announcer at the start declared this and I assume, the peace offering of the Ariodante march. Because of this, I cant judge it as a full composition, though what we did hear was bouncy and kenetic to the rest of the offering, if just cut short. They seemed unsure if they were doing encores, another flutter from Alcina and a standard Lascia ch’io pianga sent us away, adding to an almost slight evening.