MUSIC AND DANCE CAPSULES : CAMERATA OF L.A.

Choral groups don’t usually attract a lot of attention. But those listeners who traveled to the Embassy Theatre, where the Camerata of Los Angeles performed Saturday night, found their trip worthwhile.

Conductor H. Vincent Mitzelfelt’s gestures may be a bit abrupt and exaggerated, but his chorus sings with unusual precision and clarity. Moreover, the singers are able to sustain an energized sound for long periods and at various dynamic levels. Mitzelfelt achieves a fine blend and is able to get a remarkably full sound from the 40 vocalists who comprise the group.

Bach’s Mass in F (BWV 233) afforded three of Camerata’s members an opportunity to demonstrate their solo capabilities. Soprano Linda Shankel, baritone Arthur Edwards and mezzo Kathryn Underwood each produced a full, clear sound and a logical sense of line.

The choir demonstrated its fine enunciation in Handel’s “Dixit Dominus.” The solos were uneven; mezzo Sarah Hensley and soprano Dianne Brannen both have pleasant voices but were difficult to hear.

Mitzelfelt led an urgent reading of Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik.” The orchestral playing, both here and during the choral works, ranged from energetic and clean to energetic and scrappy. Rhythmic imprecision, questionable intonation and occasional stridency detracted from the sometimes handsome sound.