<<  -- 4 --  David Wilkins    BAROQUE ON THE BOSPHORUS

It has to be said that the concert by Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI with soprano, Montserrat Figueras, was, as the cliché has it, to die for! Just the sight of these performers as they came on to the Eirene platform: the colours of their clothes, the exoticism of their instruments, their anticipation of joy was enough to guarantee that the audience was in for a real treat. Rebecs, an oud, a psalterium, flute and recorder, medieval harp and beguilingly varied percussion accompanied and surrounded her fabulous voice in a series of Spanish, Arabic and Sephardic songs and dances. The Lamentations cut to the quick in the hushed, intently listening atmosphere; the joyousness of the dance movements could persuade you that you had travelled much further than to this accessible European / Asian divide, but to the very gates of heaven. It was wonderful and a wonder -- undoubtedly, one of the great musical experiences of this life!

The Istanbul Festival of 2005 promises a Russian flavour. Ah -- the Bosphorus, where do you lead? Gergiev with the Kirov company is due for concert performances of Boris and Otello. There will be Russian orchestral repertoire with Russian orchestras and a further flavour of the baroque with Anne Sofie Von Otter and the Gabrielli Consort. Amongst other delights. The political 'bigwigs' should be discussing their dubious trade elsewhere and those who embody the spirit of Istanbul (Turkish carpet-sellers and all!) will be in much need of your trade.

It's the kind of Festival that you need to keep a canny eye on as it grows and prospers -- and with your passport close to hand! Next year in Istanbul!