Mozart Unwrapped at King’s Place, London, N1

Vesperae solennes de confessore in C major, K339

Mozart’s Mass in C minor, K427 (Great Mass). 

Louise Wayman – soprano

Hannah Davey – soprano

Christine Sjölander – mezzo-soprano

Phillip Sheffield – tenor

David John Pike - baritone

Orchestra of St John’s – John Lubbock - conductor

OSJ Voices – Jeremy Jackman – choirmaster

King’s Place is a wonderful new venue in King’s Cross, London which is purpose built to enable musicians to show off their talents in acoustically perfect conditions.  I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of both the performance and the venue. 

Although the choir sang with a good full sound in the Vesperae solennes, they were note watching a bit too much and not reacting to the conductor’s instructions well enough.  The Soprano (Louise Wayman) was especially impressive and sang with great enthusiasm and feeling throughout.

The choir was more watchful of the conductor in the Mass in C but due to their small number did seem a bit weak and thin in places where they had to split into eight parts.  The two sopranos however were absolutely magnificent and quite frankly they stole the show!  They were spirited in their singing and were clearly relishing every minute of the piece. Their voices complemented each other beautifully whenever they sang together.

RB