Back again to the end of the Renaissance, we heard the Benedictus from William Byrd's Mass for Four Voices. Finally, a contemporary setting of the Agnus Dei from Fank Martin's Messe involved a solo quartet singing words, with the chorus rather droning. More presence was needed from the soloists, soprano Stacey Fradkin, alto Lydia Madrick, tenor Richard Dunn, and baritone Hastings Smith. It concluded with a peaceful Dona Nobis Pacem. A prevailing lack of energy and vitality seems to plague this ensemble.
More extroverted expression is needed.
The women and especially the sopranos need more body and balance. This has been a problem for the last several concerts. The attacks are chronically tentative. The group obviously sounded the best when they sang out with expressive crescendo. There was a rather overall restraint.