Music : Sherrill Milnes at El Camino

If Sherrill Milnes had thrown out the rule book Saturday at El Camino College--the recital rule book, that is--he would have led with his strengths: a personable manner best illustrated in the group of American songs that closed the evening.

It was here, in the irony-tinged fire and brimstone of Malotte’s “David and Goliath,” that Milnes’ dramatic mastery came across compellingly. The 55-year-old baritone was the preacher at the pulpit. And his voice rang out with power that matched the narrative, with inflections that made the interpretive point.

It could be seen as well--despite the obligatory regalia of tuxedo and white tie--because nothing stood between him and the character he was portraying.

And for this final group of mostly old-time songs that included “Duna,” the tall singer allowed himself to chat, offhandedly, with the audience. He was perfectly charming and natural.

But for the Italian-German first half of the program, he followed prescribed practice--offering a group of antiquities that warmed up his voice.

Perhaps it was an off night. Perhaps after three decades before the public, Milnes can at times be expected to be in less than top form. Perhaps this material and a stiff, almost mannered demeanor robbed him of his natural advantage.

In any case, he seemed to be missing his characteristic richness of tone. In two Schumann lieder, however--”Widmung” and “Der Nussbaum”--when he used an aptly inward approach and could cover the voice instead of trying to project it, the results were poetic.