The Apostles, Edward Elgar, Three Choirs Festival, Gloucester Cathedral, 29 July, 2023.

5*****: David Gray & Paul Gray

Elgar’s The Apostles takes the Christian story and gives it an interesting twist. Seen through the eyes of his followers it is more about their psychology and their feelings than about the story itself. Indeed, it almost glosses over the momentous biblical events - the arrest, the trial, the crucifixion, and the resurrection - and directs its focus towards what goes on ‘off-stage’. This very modern device has been used by a number of 20th Century playwrights, and Elgar, who compiled and wrote his own libretto for The Apostles, was ahead of his times in using the device.

Although Jesus may not be the focus of the work, his figure still looms large. Bass-Baritone Dingle Yandell brought physical and vocal presence to the role. A cool, calm, well-grounded voice with a richly textured lower register and a cavernous top. He was a perfect fit for the part.

The other soloists were also well cast. Michael Bell projected effortlessly with a warm, uncluttered tone as both Peter and The Narrator. John Savourin gave Judas’ anguish real emotional depth and a ring of truth. And James Geidt was vocally commanding at the future “rock” on which the church is to be built.

The two women in the cast, soprano Philippa Boyle as The Virgin Mary and mezzo Martha McLorinan as Mary Magdalene fell foul of what we have come to realise over the week is an acoustic dead spot in Gloucester Cathedral. Let us explain: singers who are placed immediately to the left of the conductor (as viewed from the audience’s perspective) sound distant and muffled to seats towards the back of the North Nave.

We are not sure if this is a problem throughout the building. If it is, it is a shame, particularly for Martha McLorinan. She is a sensitive, expressive artist with a gorgeously rich, pure voice. In time she may make a great Angel in Gerontius.

Conductor and Festival Director, Adrian Partington paced the work well, so that the whole thing was nicely shaped on both micro and macro-scales, and the orchestra were responsive with attention to detail. The brass in particular stood out with some magnificent playing.

Elgar punctuates his characters’ thoughtful introspection with moments of majestic grandeur. Chorus, orchestra and soloists invested these with searing power. The final sequence raised the roof and brought the concert and the Festival to an inspiring conclusion. Maestro Adrian Partington, is to be praised, to paraphrase Elgar, ‘in the heights’ for an outstanding and sumptuous Three Choirs Festival 2023.

Philippa Boyle – The Virgin Mary

Martha McLorinan – Mary Magdalene

Michael Bell – John

John Savourin – Judas

James Geidt – Peter

Dingle Yandell – Jesus

Three Choirs Festival Chorus

Philharmonia Orchestra

Adrian Partington - Conductor