Clear and bright : Bach Cantatas with Le Banquet Céleste in Rennes, December 14, 2016

Photo:Arnaud Chapiseau 

Suzanne Daumann

The young baroque ensemble, founded and directed by counter-tenor Damien Guillon, will  in residence at Rennes opera for three seasons. That night, they gave their Christmas concert with three Bach cantatas: BWV 36 « Schwingt freudig euch empor », BWV 62 « Nun komm der Heiden Heiland » and BWV 64 « Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat euch der Vater erzeiget ». There was a prestigious cast – Céline Scheen, soprano, Damien Guillon, alto, Robert Getchell, tenor, Benoît Arnould, bass –  and Le Banquet Céleste who were offering tonight a banquet that was celestial indeed. Thanks to Damien Guillon’s sober conducting and the musicians’ clear and concentrated playing, every part of every cantata was revealed in all its beauty, clarity, depth and brightness. This music is profoundly spiritual and intellectual, and the warm sound of the historic instruments accentuated its depth and gave it a sensual dimension as well. The four voices were simply celestial in the choir pieces and chorals, and each singer was just perfect in their solo parts, be it recitative or aria. Great specialists of baroque music, they were so at ease in the difficult coloraturas that they made everything look and sound quite effortless. This evening, music touched the souls of an enchanted audience, who applauded eagerly, unwilling to let these wonderful musicians go and to end the enchantment. After two encores of the most beautiful choir pieces, we went out into the night, with peace in our souls for one night. We do need it these days… Bravi tutti and thank you for this evening!