As part of Ballarat's Heritage celebrations, The Australian boys Choir presented a magnificent choral masterpiece, with style, in St. Patrick's Cathedral last Saturday afternoon. The Officium Defunctorum was written by the great Spanish Renaissance composer Tomas Luis de Victoria for the funeral service of Dowager Empress Maria of Austria. This work includes the Ordinary of the Mass, the parts that do not change from day to day, as it was probably performed in 1603.
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Director Nick Dinopoulos shaped a precise, perfectly balanced and totally committed performance from the choir. Simon Rickard's contribution on the dulzian, a forerunner of the modern bassoon, was appropriately subtle and restrained, adding the right amount of support and tonal colour.
The success of this performance was built on the vocal texture achieved. The uniqueness of boys' voices in creating an almost celestial aesthetic has long been the desired goal in sacred music and it was clearly audible in this performance.
The success of this performance was built on the vocal texture achieved. The uniqueness of boys' voices in creating an almost celestial aesthetic has long been the desired goal in sacred music
- Bronislaw Sozanski
Added to this were the well-controlled delivery of Dinopoulos as celebrant, the adult quartet which opened the proceedings with the "Ad Matinatum" from the organ loft and excellent sections of chant from the choir. The Processional antiphon "In Paradisium" brought the service to a natural and satisfying conclusion.
