In full 18th century costuming, soprano Jayne Tankersley was the coffee-obsessed Lieschen with Ian Campbell as her irate father, while young tenor Lachlan Craig presented connecting recitatives and joined in the final trio.
It was well sung. Campbell fulminated with intelligence while navigating often unforgiving lines, while Craig's crisply pointed contributions makes one eager to hear him sing Mozart and Britten later this year as part of his university studies.
Tankersley had just the right theatrical elan and was nicely complemented by Sally Tibbles' flute when she confessed her inordinate coffee-love in Ei! Wie schmeckt der Kaffee susse, floating over Darija Andzakovic's sonorous pizzicato bass.
After a short break, we were treated to a spectacular trio of harpsichords in the D minor Concerto. Rippling through the first movement, soloists James Tibbles, Edward Giffney and Grace Francis caught the balance of contest and co-operation.
The pungency of the Siciliana second movement inspired some shapely playing from Graham McPhail and his small band. The shivery shimmer of the two-bar Adagio took us to an energised final Allegro.
Review
What: Coffee with Mr Bach
Where: Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber
