Opera North’s Christmas Gala at Dewsbury is an established treat on the schedule of Christmas goodies, but its form changes year by year, probably reflecting the taste of the conductor. This year Leslie Suganandarajah took the helm: born in Sri Lanka, brought up in Germany, just beginning to make his mark outside his adopted homeland – an unusual choice, you may think, and it produced some pleasingly unexpected programming and one minor drawback. Evidently an unassuming young man, Suganandarajah clearly gained the respect of the orchestra, but seemed ill at ease dealing with the audience.
The first evidence of his influence came in a first half devoted to the oratorios of Mendelssohn – at least the assumption is that it was his influence. The Santa hats and tinsel among chorus and orchestra were shelved until after the interval – this was serious music-making – and terrific stuff, mostly unknown to the audience and your reviewer.
In his too short life, Mendelssohn was acclaimed in this country for his oratorios, premiered at the great music festivals. Now only Elijah has a place in the repertoire of our choral societies and was one of four works which were raided for pieces to do with the coming of Christ. St Paul gave us a stately chorale, Mendelssohn at his most Lutheran, the chorus at its most dramatically united, but the gem of the first half came from the Christmas Cantata, a whirling fugue that settles to a glorious theme reminiscent of Ein feste burg (which Mendelssohn plundered to huge effect in the Reformation Symphony) and heart-felt solo contributions. The chorus and soloists from the chorus responded superbly.
The second half saw John Rutter’s arrangement of Past Three a Clock, attacked with precision by the chorus, and three “audience carols”, all more than familiar. Suganandarajah’s diffidence in encouraging the audience may have limited their involvement, but then who can make their voices heard against the Chorus of Opera North and the brass section (a word for the splendid tuba player, Brian Kingsley) in those glorious David Willcocks descants?
In between the carols were three “Christmas pieces”. Engelbert Humperdinck’s Overture to Hansel and Gretel is a wonderful piece, but somehow this reading didn’t quite have the precision required. The same could not be said for Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite No. 1 in an arrangement by celeste player John Longstaff. The delicacy of the Overture was beautifully managed and throughout individual sections got their moments in the sun – shouldn’t really single one out, but woodwinds were spot on! Then Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride capped the whole thing off, with the trombones mighty in the pseudo-Billy May section, percussion animated and a final neigh to rein the whole thing in.
Leslie Suganandarajah launched the chorus into an explosive “We wish you a Merry Christmas” and departed with typical diffidence. It’s to be hoped we see him again in the Kirklees Concert Season or on the podium at Leeds Grand.
Reviewed on 15th December 2022.
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