Derek Jacobi, Samantha Bond add star power to Folger Consort's 'Merchant of Venice' program

Seasoned actor and director Richard Clifford, who provided the adaptation and fluid direction, also portayed several characters, including Antonio. Another finely skilled actor, Shirine Babb, was assigned Nerissa and Jessica.

The tight ensemble got well into the text. Jacobi's voice, in particular, was rich in nuances that helped him make each character wonderfully distinct; his eyes proved as fully communicative as his words. Bond exuded charm and color at every turn. There was much to savor from Clifford and Babb as well.

To be sure, 10 excerpts, none too lengthy, could not make the full measure of the play be felt, but the essence came through. And the indelible force of Shakespeare's language certainly made its mark, sounding, in these circumstances, all the more musical.

And what fascinating music there was -- works by English and Italian composers written around the time of "The Merchant of Venice," covering familiar names (Monteverdi, Giovanni Gabrieli) and several less well-known. Most pointedly, considering the play at hand, there were pieces by Jewish composer Salamone Rossi (he was based in Mantua, but close enough).

To all of the selections, the Folger Consort and its guests, Piffaro, the Renaissance Band, offered admirable technical poise and expressive phrasing. In addition to the superb instrumentalists (a couple of bagpipes made a delicious appearance along the way), Peabody-trained soprano Emily Noel offered deftly sculpted singing.

A classy enterprise all the way.