Inspiring evening thanks to Dunedin Consort

The second triumphant concert of Horsecross’ return was the much admired Dunedin Consort in ‘Madrigals of Love, Loss and War’ on September 16.

Here it seemed love was always a war – the lover wounded, attacked, beaten and capitulating. Even the happiest sounding one, Monteverdi’s Golden Tresses, bound, wounded and tortured the lover.

Such were the texts, but the superb sound of this ensemble made the evening an inspiringly enjoyable event.

In varied combinations the Dunedin Consort consisted of six singers, some (Julia Doyle, Matthew Brooke) well-known to Perth audiences, the others a fine discovery, with two violins, two theorboes and harpsichord.

Monteverdi’s Let Others Sing of Cupid impressed immediately with its atmosphere.

Next violinist Kati Debrezeni charmingly and informatively introduced two virtuoso instrumental pieces by Merulo: one on the bass-line of Zephira torna and the other, her namesake, she said, La Catharina.

The second madrigal was Barbara Strozzi’s lilting Harmful Silence and a return to Monteverdi with the sparkling, invigorating duet for the two sopranos Golden Tresses.

Three more followed: starting with a duet for tenor and baritone, then Let Others sing of Mars, with naturally enough, a martial start in Monteverdi’s excited style.

As interlude, a virtuoso performance of Kapsberger’s Toccata No1 by theorbo player

Matthew Nisbet, then back to weeping and sighing before the longest and dance inspired, almost a mini-opera, in Volgendo il ciel (The heavens rotating).

Finally came the a capella My Beloved Pardon Her and the word painting of sleep and silence.

Then the sick chromatic steps in Now that the Sky, ending a stylishly delivered, finely sung and played, enlightening concert, much appreciated by the Perth Concert Hall audience.