by Sam Juliano
German Soprano Christine Schafer, an agile and articulate Handel interpreter dazzled an appreciative Avery Fisher Hall sell-out audience on Thursday evening with the rendering of arias from Giulio Cersare and Alcina in an all-Handel venue conducted by the esteemed Nicholas McGegan, guiding the New York Philhamonic. Ms. Schafer left and returned to the stage eight times to acknowledge a boisterous throng, who were clearly enraptured by her pitch-perfect delivery and fortitude in bringing some of the most beautiful music ever written to the hallowed hamlet of Lincoln Center. Three colorful bouquets were handed to Ms. Schafer, who gleamed with radiance, with Maestro McGegan beaming at her side. Three second-half arias, “Di, cor mio” and “Ombre pallide” from Alcina and “Se pieta di me non senti” from Giulio Cesare were delivered with remarkable aplomb and precision, fully realizing the ethereal beauty of baroque melodies. Schafer is presently regarded as a world-famous Handel interpreter, and she recently recorded a CD with selections from Alcina, which is scheduled for release here next month. (more…)
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