The orchestra gave a colorful, even lusty performance. Lockhart, in baton-free mode again, was at his most exuberant, catching air several times. The Utah Symphony Chorus, thoroughly prepared by chorus master Susanne Sheston, sang with great gusto, especially in the electrifying opening and closing "O Fortuna." The men of the chorus, in particular, sang with a nice, firm tone, and even got to do a bit of acting during the "tavern" sequence. The choristers of the Madeleine Choir School brought great presence and polish to movements such as "Tempus est iocundum."
Of the three youthful soloists, baritone Lucas Meachem was given the most to do. Meachem took full dramatic advantage, thoroughly charming Friday's full house. His reaction as soprano Maureen McKay trilled out "Dulcissime" was priceless. There were times when his voice projected upward rather than outward, but at other times, such as in "Tempus est iocundum," it rang triumphantly through the hall.
McKay was equally charming in her shorter appearance; her sweetly lyric delivery of "In trutina" was one of the evening's highlights. Tenor John McVeigh played the role of the "roasting swan" to the hilt.
In an inspired programming choice, Lockhart paired "Carmina Burana" with a less well-known piece from Weimar-period Germany, Kurt Weill's Symphony No. 2. The bittersweet Weill symphony, which deserves to be heard more often, made for an instructive contrast with the bombast of "Carmina." The vaguely ominous opening and closing movements had a persuasive drive; the central movement had a burnished, autumnal sound with a shade of world-weariness.
creese@sltrib.com
Utah Symphony
* WITH: Conductor Keith Lockhart, soprano Maureen McKay, tenor John McVeigh, baritone Lucas Meachem, Madeleine Choir School choristers and the Utah Symphony Chorus.
* WHERE: Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City.
* WHEN: Friday; repeats tonight at 8.
* TICKETS: $12 to $48 at 801-355-ARTS, the box office or www.arttix.org.
* RUNNING TIME: Two hours, including intermission.
* BOTTOM LINE: The ever-reliable thrills of "Carmina Burana," complemented by autumnal Kurt Weill.
