The Universal Applause of Mount Parnassus at the Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle, June 12th 2015

This Friday lunchtime sees the modern premiere of The Universal Applause of Mount Parnassus by Peter Whelan and Ensemble Marsyas, in association with the KBC Great Music in Irish Houses Festival. The score of the ‘Serenata da Camera’ or short chamber opera was recently discovered in the Bodleian Library in Oxford and was written by Johann Sigismond Cousser in honour of Queen Anne’s 46th birthday. The work was originally premiered at Dublin Castle in 1711. Therefore, it is only fitting that today that is should be performed there once again.

After an insightful introduction from Professor Samantha Owens about the background of the work, the performers take their places at the front of the Royal Chapel and prepare to play. Following a Lullian-style French overture, tenor Reinoud Van Mechelen, in the role of Apollo the Greek god of music and poetry, calls upon the nine muses to honour the birthday of Queen Anne. Van Mechelen has a lovely rich tone and proves to be an ideal choice for the role of Apollo. Consequently, the nine muses are each given their own recitative and aria to honour Queen Anne. As a number of the singers are doubling the roles of the muses, the format becomes a little confusing, and at times it is hard to recall which person is singing which muse as the work progresses. However, this does not detract from the performance.

One particular highlight of the concert is mezzo-soprano Anna Reinhold’s compelling performance of the recitative and aria as Thalia, the muse of comedy and pastoral poetry, which opens with accompaniment from Thomas Dunford on theorbo.  It is also delightful to see three young singers from the Irish Youth Opera, Chloe Morgan, Sarah Brady and Niamh O’ Sullivan confidently and capably perform as soloists amongst international performers of such a high calibre.

On the whole the sound is balanced throughout and is ideally suited for the venue. The blend of voices in the chorus is just right, all complementing one another. The ensemble, under the leadership of musical director Peter Whelan, display tight ensemble playing and manage to envelop the Royal Chapel with their energy and musicality. After seeing this ‘lost’ work brought to life today, one can’t help but wonder, how many other works like this are there out there waiting to be recovered?

Programme

The Universal Applause of Mount Parnassus – Johann Sigismond Cousser

Encore: Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne – G.F. Handel

Performers

Peter Whelan – Director and harpsichord

Reinoud Van Mechelen – Apollo

Mhairi Lawson – Calliope/Polymnia

Anna Reinhold – Thalia/Terpsichore

Chloe Morgan – Clio/Euterpe

Sarah Brady – Melponene/Urania

Niamh O’ Sullivan – Erato

Diederik Rooker – Tenor

Callum Thorpe – Bass

Violins – Cecilia Bernardini, Marja Gaynor, Claire Duff

Viola – Alfonso Leal del Ojo

Cello – Sarah McMahon

Double Bass – Christine Sticher

Oboe and Recorder – Katharina Spreckelsen, Frances Norbury

Bassoon – Carles Cristobal

Theorbo – Thomas Dunford