The Utah Symphony kicked off December in festive fashion Friday with a concert of Baroque vocal masterpieces. Guest conductor Bernard Labadie infused the orchestra and Utah Symphony Chorus with Baroque spirit, and Utah's own Celena Shafer showed the hometown crowd what a fine singer she has become.

Shafer, who regularly performs leading roles in many of the world's top opera houses and concert halls, was appearing in Abravanel Hall for the first time since her teens. She demonstrated versatility in Bach's scintillating Cantata No. 51, "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen," and in the Vivaldi Gloria, which calls for more lyricism. "Jauchzet Gott" teamed Shafer with Utah Symphony principal trumpeter Nick Norton in two highly virtuosic arias; the cantata also allowed Shafer to display a nice range of vocal expression.

A highlight in the Vivaldi was Shafer's duet with principal oboist Robert Stephenson in the "Domine Deus" movement of the Gloria. Both artists crafted their melodic lines with warmth and flexibility.

Soprano Maryann Madden and mezzo Paula Murrihy contributed solid, smooth work in the Vivaldi; their voices are a bit smaller than Shafer's, but Labadie maintained an impeccable balance among soloists, choir and orchestra. Tenor Todd Miller and bass-baritone Michael Rice gave fine performances in the Magnificat, along with Shafer, Madden and Murrihy.

The Utah Symphony Chorus' performance under Labadie was one of its best. The singers responded beautifully to his direction in dynamics and tempo, and though the ensemble was smaller than usual, it produced a powerful sound in choruses such as "Fecit potentiam" and the final "Gloria Patri" in the Magnificat.

The chamber-size Utah Symphony, likewise, gave a lively and flexible performance, and several orchestra members had chances to shine. They included principal cellist Ryan Selberg, who teamed with organist Kenneth Udy in the continuo parts; concertmaster Ralph Matson and principal second violinist Jae Dara Morales, in "Jauchzet Gott"; and principal flutist Erich Graf and section member Michael Vance, in the Magnificat.

Symphonic gift

* The Utah Symphony presents music of Bach and Vivaldi, conducted by Baroque specialist Bernard Labadie, today at 2 p.m. in Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City.

* Tickets are "pay as you can": You decide what you can afford or are willing to pay. Call 801-533-6683 or visit the Abravanel Hall box office at least 30 minutes before concert time.