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The last time popular British conductor Mark Wigglesworth visited Abravanel Hall, almost exactly two years ago, he conducted "The Nutcracker" without dancers. This weekend, he's back to conduct "Tristan and Isolde" without singers. Now, as then, the Utah Symphony carries that weight just fine.
The orchestra performed Henk de Vlieger's abridgment of Wagner's opera in Friday night's program, which repeats Saturday. Of course, when Wagner is involved, even the Sparknotes version stretches past an hour. Yet the musicians' energy and commitment never flagged; they sustained a stellar level of musicianship throughout the entire tale of the doomed couple. Under Wigglesworth's perceptive direction, they produced an amazing range of orchestral color at every imaginable dynamic level. The unquestioned star of this performance was Lissa Stolz, whose extended English horn solo — more of an aria, really — transfixed her colleagues and the audience alike. Other memorable solo playing came from violist Brant Bayless, clarinetist Tad Calcara and harpist Louise Vickerman.
The concert opened with Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 27, the composer's final work in the genre. Inon Barnatan, filling in for an indisposed Francesco Piemontesi, won hearty applause from the crowd and the orchestra with his light, legato playing that grew more and more involving with each movement. Wigglesworth and the orchestra provided equally charming accompaniment. —
Utah Symphony
Music of Mozart and Wagner.
With • Conductor Mark Wigglesworth and pianist Inon Barnatan
When • Reviewed Friday, Jan. 13; program repeats Saturday, Jan. 14, at 7:30 p.m.
Where • Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
Running time • Just shy of 2 hours, including intermission
Tickets • $20-$86; discounts for students, under-30s and groups; utahsymphony.org