Folger Consort performs their annual holiday concert with an ensemble of eight instrumentalists and eight vocalists. Photo by Peggy Ryan.
In the 1920s, archaeologists unearthed the world’s oldest cookbook: ancient Babylonian recipes inscribed on tablets dating back to 1730 BCE. One recipe called for beer, but all beers today are made from hops and ancient Babylonians certainly didn’t have access to that. How do you find Egyptian leeks known as “kurrat?” Even with recipes in hand, recreating ancient masterpieces in modern times can be a complex endeavor.
…delivering an experience that feels authentic, reverent, and truly timeless…a triumph of historical recreation and artistic excellence.
Yet, at Folger Theatre’s “A Mass for Christmas Eve: Baroque Music for the Season,” artistic directors Robert Eisenstein and Christopher Kendall have successfully brought centuries-old musical works back to life, performed with instruments as archaic as the music itself and delivering an experience that feels authentic, reverent, and truly timeless. Complementing French composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s “Messe de Minuit pour Noël” are English ballads and joyful instrumental concertos by Vivaldi and other Italian Baroque masters.
The program begins with several adaptations of “Balulalow,” sung in the Old Scots language of 16th-century poet James Wedderburn. Robert Eisenstein and Dan Meyers transform the small but mighty 17th-century voice flutes and recorders into sound that blends beautifully while retaining their individual resonance. The most ethereal moments come courtesy of Crossley Hawn, whose piercing soprano solo in this same number is nothing short of transcendent. Dressed in a bedazzled black gown, Hawn’s voice fills the room with a clarity and power that seem almost otherworldly.
Playing Baroque violins—originating in the 1500s—the instrumentalists deliver a performance that is both technically precise and emotionally stirring. Tatiana Chulochnikova stands out, not just for her Louboutin red soles and tailcoat, but for her virtuosic solo in Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Violin RV 270 Il S.S. Natale.” Her performance is a masterclass in Baroque technique, alternating between fast, precise movements and slower, more sensual passages.
After intermission, the vocalists, previously barely visible from atop the stage, now position themselves behind the orchestra and transition to somewhat more Catholic Mass songs, including “Kyrie,” “Credo,” “Agnus Dei,” and “Gloria,” all sung in Greek and Latin respectively. The language choices add more layers of authenticity, though it may limit audience participation. These renditions are not sing-along-friendly, with “Gloria” bearing little resemblance to the holiday favorite “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” from “Angels We Have Heard on High.” Nevertheless, they are so stunningly beautiful that one would rather succumb to letting the music transport them to another realm.
The tenors and baritones shine in these numbers, particularly in “Kyrie,” with standout performances by Mark Duer, Patrick Kilbride, Oliver Mercer, and Corbin Phillips. Their harmonies evoke a depth of emotion that resonates throughout the intimate venue.
Paula Maust’s solo on the positive organ, another instrument prevalent during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, exemplifies the level of detail and authenticity that Folger has poured into this production. Anyone who attends this show can read through the playbill for more information on these early modern instruments and also a six-page program note about the musical selections.
Folger Theatre’s “A Mass for Christmas Eve: Baroque Music for the Season” is a triumph of historical recreation and artistic excellence. With a program that spans centuries and traverses cultural boundaries, it offers a rare opportunity to experience music as it might have been heard hundreds of years ago. Whether you’re a lover of Baroque music, a history enthusiast, or simply someone seeking the perfect holiday outing, this production is sure to leave you elevated and transported.
Running Time: One hour 40 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
“A Mass for Christmas Eve: Baroque Music for the Season” runs through December 15, 2024, at Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003. For more information and to purchase tickets, please go online.
