Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra | Alex Raineri: Beethoven
February 17, 2024, QPAC, Brisbane
Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, kicked off their 2024 performance season with a sprightly and joyous concert on Saturday night in the QPAC Concert Hall. Camerata were joined by special guests, pianist Alex Raineri and vocalist Adam Lopez, making for an entertaining evening.
The concert opened with Camerata performing Beethoven’s overture to the play Coriolan. This dramatic piece evoked the character’s determination to wage war on Rome, and his mother’s protests from the sidelines. The strings built to a frenzy before fading out.
Next on the program was Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll, a tender symphonic poem composed lovingly for his wife as a birthday gift. This piece began gently, like waking up on a slow, weekend morning. Then we heard birdsongs and dreamy melodies, symbolising his love.
Camerata then revealed their signature Wild Card Mystery Guest to be countertenor Adam Lopez. He’s an emerging Brisbane artist, who has an amazing six-octave range. He’s known for holding the Guiness World Record for the highest vocal note sung by a male. On Saturday, Adam commanded the stage in his red jacket. He performed Handel’s aria Lascia ch’io pianga (Allow me to weep) in a stunning mezzo-soprano voice, accompanied by the orchestra. Then he sang a jazzy version of My Favourite Things from Sound of Music, impressively switching between both bass and soprano lines.
Alex Raineri then walked onstage for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.1. He sat at the piano, with his back to the audience, surrounded by the orchestra. This set-up meant we could see his hands flying up and down the keys. The first movement, the Allegro con brio, was grand and dazzling, and demanding for the soloist. The Largo was rich and lyrical, with the piano weaving in and out of the strings. Then the Rondo was boisterous, making us feel like we’d been swept up into a series of folk dances. Alex performed the entire concerto from memory, which was a pretty impressive feat!
As an encore, Alex performed a new arrangement of Radiohead’s 15 Step by James Dobinson, also from memory. This was an energetic way to end the concert, that even had Alex slapping the piano for effect.
I thoroughly enjoyed Camerata’s Beethoven concert and am looking forward to what they have in store for their 2024 season.
Photo credit: Alex Jamieson
