But it was John Scott who put the St. Thomas offerings on a consistent professional footing after his arrival in 2004, using the period band Concert Royal. Their performances, which were generally the first high-profile ones in the season, in early December, typically set a high standard. Mr. Scott died in 2015, and Daniel Hyde, his successor, took over “Messiah,” with results more distinguished this year than last. Kent Tritle, who took over a few years before his death, largely restored the quality, still using modern instruments. (This year Kathryn Lewek, the Metropolitan Opera’s Queen of the Night in this fall’s “The Magic Flute,” solos with both Tritle groups.)

Source: New York Times December 06, 2017 21:56 UTC