Canberra Choral Society
Erin Helyard, director
Myriam Arbouz, soprano
Llewellyn Hall, December 13
Reviewed by Len Power
Promising arias and choruses from the greatest works of Georg Frideric Handel, the Canberra Choral Society provided a huge choir to sing the many choruses and French soprano, Myriam Arbouz to sing the arias. It was all directed by Sydney’s Erin Helyard.
Myriam Arbouz has established herself as one of the most compelling interpreters of baroque and early classical repertoire. She has performed across Europe, Australia and beyond.
Erin Helyard is artistic director and co-founder of Pinchgut Opera and the Orchestra of the Antipodes (Sydney). He is also Associate Professor at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
For this Come & Sing event, the 160-member choir, prepared by Canberra based composer, conductor and performer, Dan Walker, included 80 guest singers from the Canberra community.
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| Canberra Choral Society, guest singers and orchestra with director, Erin Helyard |
Helyard addressed the audience at the beginning of the concert, saying that, in his opinion, Handel’s music and his works were Theatre of the Mind, conjuring up colourful ancient stories and characters. To open the program, Sinfonia from Handel’s early opera Agripinna was played by the orchestra, taking us deep into Handel’s world.
A large program of choruses was presented. Many were familiar and the huge choir impressed with the depth and accuracy of their singing. The words in English were very clear and easily understood.
It was all so well performed by the choir. Particularly outstanding were Jealously! from Hercules with its contrasting soft and dramatic passages and Funeral Anthem For Queen Caroline with its beautiful, sombre beginning. The very well-known Zadok the Priest was given a rousing performance, with trumpeters Zach Raffan and Sam Hutchinson playing superbly. Two choruses from the oratorio Theodora were also memorably sung as was the moving finale of Handel’s Messiah.
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| Myriam Arbouz, soprano with Erin Helyard, director |
Soprano, Myriam Arbouz, sang four arias. Her beautiful,
clear soprano, and the depth of feeling she presented in each item to bring her
characters to life, showed why she is so renowned as a performer. Each aria she
sang was a highlight of the program. The well-known Lascia ch’io pianga (Let me
weep) from Rinaldo was given a refreshing new depth in her interpretation and
the emotional Ombre pallide from Alcina was also memorably sung.
The orchestra gave a fine performance throughout and the thoughtfully chosen items of the program produced a true celebration of Handel’s music, ending the year on a high note.
Photos by Peter Hislop
This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 14 December 2025.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.
