<<  -- 6 --  Howard Smith    'MESSIAH' AS NEVER BEFORE

Then, in the final days before Messiah, she cajoled the musicians -- amateur and professional -- with a fierce, driven blend of withering criticism and glowing praise.

Over and over -- in both Russian and English -- she insisted that the words must be enunciated for their meaning. And as performance dates drew close rehearsals became almost terrifying in their propulsive, impelling committment -- pianissimos were scaled to a whisper and fortes forceful and triumphant.

Handel's towering succession of 'tuttis', choruses, recitatives, solos and perorations were subjected to scrupulous attention as O'Riordan shaped the oratorio -- to standards worthy of so momentous an occasion.

From start to finish this dynamic Irish-New Zealand musician -- daughter of a NZ actress and Irish diplomat -- appeared to be in less than perfect health; nonetheless, on the podium she directed her performers with coruscating, physical energy -- reminiscent of a 'young' Leonard Bernstein.

Not since the eighteenth century, surely, has mankind witnessed such an extraordinary Messiah. Nor is it likely to again.