Castor et Pollux, St John's Smith Square
A concert performance of Rameau rich with musical drama and delight
Alexandra Coghlan, The Arts Desk
22nd November 2015
...Joining Riches in an unusually happy love triangle were Samuel Boden and Katherine Watson, with Sophie Junker as jealous love rival Phoebe, condemning herself to Hell before anyone else can do it for her. The standout here was Watson (pictured above right). Hers is a quality voice, all ease and fullness, with a welcome darkness shading even its upper register. Her “Tristes apprets” swelled and bloomed with tragedy, before a quick sleight of hand saw her become a brittle, flirtatious follower of Hebe for the exquisite “Que nos jeux comblent”...
Castor et Pollux, St John’s, Smith Square, London — ‘Colourful, vivid’
Richard Fairman, The Financial Times
23rd November 2015
As Castor, Samuel Boden sang notably communicative French, his light tenor phrasing with a near-ideal period elegance. Ashley Riches’s Pollux was strong and forthright, if less finely drawn vocally. Sophie Junker and Katherine Watson were well contrasted as the vengeful Phoebé and loving Télaïre. Zachary Wilder and Callum Thorpe did sterling duty as visiting deities. Early Opera Company’s chorus sometimes seemed to be caught on the hop, but Curnyn kept the performance on its toes. Rameau without the scenic fripperies can easily hold his own.
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Conductor, Christian Curnyn
Cast
Katherine Watson Telaire
Ashley Riches Pollux
Samuel Boden Castor
Sophie Junker Phoebe
Callum Thorpe Jupiter
Zachary Wilder Mercury
Christian Curnyn
St John's Smith Square