Joyce DiDonato dazzles with Berlioz and Carmen in NZSO summer concert – William Dart

Joyce DiDonato shines in the he New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's Summer Nights, from Berlioz' lyricism to Carmen. Photo / New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s Joyce DiDonato: Summer Nights promised a star turn from one of the world’s finest mezzos, singing Berlioz’s Les Nuits d’ete.

The American was indeed the diva assoluta anticipated, glamorously gowned with diamante and feathers on black, illuminating both Gautier’s poems and Berlioz’s music as if written expressly for her.

An opening vision of Spring saw an exquisitely modulated vocal line threading through delicatissimo scoring, stylishly moulded by conductor Gemma New. DiDonato made much of physical expression and gesture; a flash of smile or a glance later towards cellos and basses introducing her final verse.

We soon experienced the mezzo in full soaring glory, with her remarkably lustrous and malleable lower register, penetrating the sinister gloom of the third song with a deep, throaty A flat at the mention of a shroud.

Throughout, singer, conductor and musicians were totally as one, giving welcome form to the fragmented Absence and finally carrying us away with that ultimate romantic image, searching for an island in which one loves forever.

DiDonato’s encores paired a wickedly characterful Habanera from Carmen with a God-given song for this Kansas-born singer, Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

In between, she spoke with warmth and eloquence of New Zealand’s astonishing natural beauty, making her realise that nature is the protagonist and we’re just along for the ride, something you don’t feel in New York City.

Many were disappointed when the programmed Bruckner Symphony No 7 had to be replaced by Mozart’s Jupiter, thanks to the travel chaos caused by the Airbus recall.

Mozart launched the evening with just the right esprit. When the orchestra played it last year, I commented on the first movement’s winning mix of ceremonial grandeur and impishness.

If anything, it was more so, the conductor foregoing repeats to trim the work to a sprightly 25 minutes, without any threat to the impact of its monumental finale.

The next town hall concert on Sunday features Bach Music New Zealand with some ceremonial music by Bach and Handel, marking the final appearance of veteran music director Rita Paczian.