O.C. MUSIC REVIEW : McRae Conducts a Triumphant ‘Messiah’

Paul Anthony McRae’s conducting of the combined forces of the Pacific Symphony and the Pacific Chorale in Handel’s “Messiah” proved an eminently balanced and frequently moving performance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center on Saturday afternoon.

Presenting a slightly truncated version of the Christmas portion of this seasonal favorite, McRae established the quality of his leadership with the first strains of the overture--clean and energetic, crisp and compelling. Throughout the oratorio, he drew ever-polished, dramatically attentive readings from the musicians. The chorus offered minute control over dynamics and effect: They shifted adroitly among light, transparent fugues, powerful chordal declamations and legato supplications, while their instrumental collaborators responded with notable agreement in phrasing and accentuation.

Trumpeter Burnette Dillon impressed in a clarion introduction and obbligato line for “The Trumpet Shall Sound,” holding sway with baritone James Maddalena.

*

Maddalena, who is perhaps best known for his title role in John Adams’ “Nixon in China,” had gotten off to a nervous-sounding start, warbling his way through the aria “But who may abide the day of His coming” with such violence that one could only guess the probable pitches. He regained control, however, by his next recitative, eventually emerging both technically accomplished and passionately persuasive.

Seung Won Choi wowed with a big, remarkably expressive tenor, at its best when conveying righteous pathos, as in a wrenching account of the recitative “Thy rebuke hath broken His heart.” The Korean-born, L.A. resident--recent winner of the Metropolitan Opera’s National Auditions--tossed off busy, demanding passages with apparent ease.

Soprano Elisabeth Comeaux exhibited equal acrobatic ability during her solos, which she adorned with some well-considered, stylish ornamentation.

Mezzo-soprano Ellen Rabiner managed difficult portions competently, in a pleasant and modest voice.