Oeuvre: Botschaft, Op.47 no. 1

A deep-dive into the world of 14th-century Persian poet, Hafez, and his influence on song across the centuries. 

If ever there were a voice that required the big hall of the Musikverein, it would be that of Nina Stemme. 

Marian Anderson, the famed African-American contralto, once remarked of Kathleen Ferrier, “My God, what a voice – and what a face!” This concert was a Centenary Celebration of Ferrier’s art at the Wigmore Hall, and I reflected (not for the first time) how aptly Anderson’s words could also apply to Alice Coote, the evening’s distinguished soloist.